Fox News Channel’s 18 million Twitter followers are wondering what happened as the company’s account has been silent for nearly 48 hours.
The Fox News Twitter account has not tweeted since 2:18 pm on November 8 though the network’s Facebook account has remained active.
Here’s a question: Why hasn’t the @FoxNews account tweeted in 31 hours?
— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) November 9, 2018
The last tweet was about a breaking story on a federal appeals court decision to block President Trump’s plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
BREAKING: Federal appeals court rules against Trump administration on DACA https://t.co/KHnrNvEKAM
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 8, 2018
The Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol offered a snarky suggestion for the silence.
The caravan has invaded 1211 6th Avenue and is holding the Fox News tweeters hostage?
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 10, 2018
But it seems the reason is a bit personal for Fox News which may be holding a form of silent protest over its own Tucker Carlson in the wake of a violent Antifa group protest outside of his home last week.
The company reportedly made the “conscious decision” to not put out any tweets.
“[This] is a conscious decision in light of what was done to Tucker,” a source at Fox News told Mediaite.
Protesters with the anti-fascist group “Smash Racism DC” staged a violent and raucous demonstration in front of Carlson’s Washington, D.C. house where his wife was home alone. Police intervened, arriving after one protester allegedly threw himself against the front door, others spray painted an anarchy symbol on the driveway and vandalized vehicles.
Members of the group posted the Fox News host’s home address – as well as the address of his brother and others – in a video which was then shared on social media.
Tribune Media content manager Scott Gustin reported that Fox News sources revealed the company was “protesting how Twitter handled posts targeting Tucker Carlson.”
The @FoxNews Twitter account has been silent for over 24 hours. A Fox News employee tells me Fox is choosing to stay silent while protesting how Twitter handled posts targeting Tucker Carlson — specifically the ones that included his address. address.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2018
Twitter reportedly did not delete tweets containing Carlson’s address whereas Facebook – which Fox News continues to post from – responded quickly after it was alerted.
According to source, Facebook was prompt when alerted to posts that included his home address. Twitter support reportedly told Fox to “open a ticket” and did not remove the posts.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2018
The decision not to tweet came from “the highest level” of the company, according to Gustin.
Fox already released a statement condemning the Tucker protesters but there has been no official statement on the Twitter protest/blackout. Source says the Twitter blackout decision came “from the highest level” of the company.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2018
Meanwhile, Fox News will reportedly continue to hold tweeting until Twitter issues an apology.
Source indicated Fox will remain silent until Twitter removes the tweets and apologizes for mishandling the situation.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2018
A note – last several tweets from them are all breaking alerts. Don’t be surprised to see “breaking” tweets still going out during this “protest” involving Twitter.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2018
The move is highly unusual as the Fox News account posts hundreds of tweets a day and has over 400,000 tweets on its page. The Fox Business Twitter page has also been quiet, posting the last tweet on Nov. 9 and retweeting about 24 hours ago.
Fox News’ CEO Suzanne Scott and president Jay Wallace condemned the protests, which Carlson called a “threat,” in a statement on Thursday.
“The incident that took place at Tucker’s home last night was reprehensible,” Scott and Wallace said. “The violent threats and intimidation tactics toward him and his family are completely unacceptable. We as a nation have become far too intolerant of different points of view. Recent events across our country clearly highlight the need for a more civil, respectful, and inclusive national conversation. Those of us in the media and in politics bear a special obligation to all Americans, to find common ground.”
Carlson spoke with Fox News colleague Brian Kilmeade who sat in for him on Friday’s program.
“Why are we describing it as a protest? It a protest in the sense that when the mafia tells a store owner, I’d hate to have this place destroyed, that’s not a protest, it’s a threat,” Carlson said.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘So satisfying!’ Karma comes potty-mouthed ‘Kayak Karen’ after she berates other boaters - March 28, 2024
- RFK Jr talks media bias, addresses possible Libertarian ticket in wide-ranging interview with Chris Cuomo - March 28, 2024
- ‘Why are you doing this?’ Joy Behar panicked that ‘clown’ RFK Jr will hand the election to Trump - March 28, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!