Fox settles major suit with Tucker Carlson

In a significant development, Fox News has paid a substantial settlement of $12 million to resolve a lawsuit filed by a former producer, Abby Grossberg. The lawsuit claimed that the working environment on Tucker Carlson’s show was marred by bigotry, misogyny, and bullying. Grossberg’s lawsuit not only led to Carlson’s departure from the network but also had an impact on the resolution of another high-profile defamation suit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.

In her statement, Grossberg expressed hope that the settlement would represent a positive step by the network in addressing the treatment of women and minorities in the workplace. Grossberg, who served as the chief booker of guests for Carlson’s now-canceled show, alleged a hostile environment characterized by sexism and antisemitism. She cited instances of explicit images displayed around the office and claimed that a supervisor had challenged staffers to discuss their preferences regarding two female candidates in a sexually suggestive manner.

Grossberg further alleged that she was paid less than her male counterparts and faced relentless derogatory comments about her Jewish faith. The lawsuit contended that the toxic culture on the show reflected Carlson’s own sensibility, including his history of making sexist and racist remarks on-air. Grossberg emphasized that the dismissive response from a supervisor, who stated that they were following Tucker’s tone, indicated a trickle-down effect from the top.

Fox News, in a statement released by a spokesperson, expressed satisfaction in resolving the matter without further litigation. The settlement not only brings an end to the legal peril faced by Carlson, Grossberg’s supervisor Justin Wells, and other Fox executives mentioned in the lawsuit but also underscores the network’s acknowledgment of its wrongdoing.

Additionally, Grossberg had made allegations against Fox’s legal team, claiming they pressured her to lie in her sworn deposition for the Dominion suit. Dominion Voting Systems had accused Fox News of repeatedly broadcasting baseless claims about election fraud during the 2020 presidential race. Grossberg stated that she felt compelled to lie to defend Carlson when asked about his use of derogatory language toward a female ally of former President Donald Trump. While Fox denied these allegations, the judge in the case reprimanded the network’s attorneys for their tactics.

Following her termination, Grossberg revealed that she possessed numerous recordings of private conversations among Fox journalists. In a bid to support Dominion, she offered to become a key witness, prompting Fox News to settle the defamation case just before the trial commenced, paying $787.5 million. This substantial settlement amount serves as an implicit admission of the network’s role in spreading baseless claims. Although the settlement does not include an apology for the false statements made on-air, it highlights the financial consequences faced by Fox News.

In light of these recent developments, Fox News canceled Tucker Carlson’s program and engaged in a public dispute with him over his plans to post political commentaries on social media platforms. The network aims to keep Carlson on the sidelines by paying him until the end of his employment contract, which extends beyond the 2024 election. The sizable settlement paid to Grossberg demonstrates Fox’s efforts to move past the controversies surrounding its coverage of the 2020 election aftermath.

While this settlement may provide some closure, Fox News still faces ongoing legal challenges. Smartmatic, another voting-tech company, has filed a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, alleging similar claims of election fraud. Fox Corp, the parent company of Fox News, is also grappling with lawsuits from disaffected shareholders. These legal battles continue to raise questions about the extent to which Fox’s workplace culture has truly evolved since previous scandals involving sexual harassment and misconduct.