The same night the liberal broadcast networks ABC and NBC were acting as though Trump’s combative press conference on Wednesday was some kind of affront to the First Amendment, the Washington D.C. area home of Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson was under assault by a radical leftist mob shouting threats. During both their morning and evening broadcasts Thursday, ABC and NBC ignored the actual attack on someone’s free speech.
The CBS Evening News was the only network broadcast program to mention the assault on Carlson’s home. Anchor Jeff Glor informed viewers via a news brief. “D.C. police are investigating a group of demonstrators who targeted the home of Fox News host Tucker Carlson last night. They shouted threats, van vandalized the property and posted video on social media. Carlson was at work. His wife was home alone,” he said.
But during Thursday’s Special Report on Fox News, they offered more information on what happened. “An angry mob did damage and made threats at the home of Tucker Carlson last night. Fortunately, no one was hurt there,” announced anchor Bret Baier.
“Police are investigating it as a possible hate crime, according to the Washington Metropolitan Police tonight. It points the growing problem of harassment and violence targeting public figures,” he added.
The report was handled by Fox News’ media reporter Howard Kurtz and he noted that the radical mob “pushed against his front door until it cracked.” Carlson apparently talked with Kurtz about the attack and he told his colleague: “These weren't protesters, they were people who came to threaten my family. Their threats are designed to shut people up.”
Not only did the group (“Smash Racism DC”) storm Carlson’s residence, they also released the respective home addresses of Carlson’s brother and his Daily Caller co-founder Neil Patel. According to other reports, the mob spray painted the anarchy symbol on the driveway while signs were left on vehicles parked there and at the front door.
Kurtz also noted the tough response from Fox News executives:
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace, urging a more civil national conversation, called the incident “reprehensible. The violent threats and intimidation tactics toward him and his family are completely acceptable.”
Even Carlson’s liberal critics were showing their support for him, according to Kurtz. “With the protest expanding to conservative media figures, some of Carlson's liberal critics tweeted today that his home should be out-of-bounds.”
“Tucker Carlson is a controversial commentator but targeting homes and families breaches the boundaries of free speech. Such harassment could spark counter-protests against the left, raising the risk that one of these incidents will end badly,” Kurtz warned as he wrapped up the report.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
CBS Evening News
November 8, 2018
6:53 p.m. EasternJEFF GLOR: D.C. Police are investigating a group of demonstrators who targeted the home of Fox News host Tucker Carlson last night. They shouted threats, van vandalized the property and posted video on social media. Carlson was at work. His wife was home alone.
Fox News Channel’s Special Report
November 8, 2018
6:30:38 p.m. EasternBRET BAIER: Back here in the U.S. now, to a disturbing story affecting one of our own here at Fox News Channel. An angry mob did damage and made threats at the home of Tucker Carlson last night. Fortunately, no one was hurt there. Police are investigating it as a possible hate crime, according to the Washington Metropolitan Police tonight. It points the growing problem of harassment and violence targeting public figures. Fox News media analyst and host of Fox’s Media Buzz, Howard Kurtz takes a look.
[Cuts to video]
(…)
HOWARD KURTZ: Two hours before his Fox News show last night, Tucker Carlson learned nearly two dozen anti-fascist protesters were outside his home chanting insults and demanding he leave the city.
(…)
KURTZ: The left-wing demonstrators frightened Carlson's wife, their four children were not at home, and pushed against his front door until it cracked. Carlson told me he’d debate the group on the air but, quote, “these weren't protesters, they were people who came to threaten my family. Their threats are designed to shut people up.”
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace, urging a more civil national conversation, called the incident “reprehensible. The violent threats and intimidation tactics toward him and his family are completely acceptable.”
The group, Smash Racism D.C., which made public the home addresses of Carlson's brother and the co-founder of his site, The Daily Caller, has staged protests against such Republicans as Senator Ted Cruz. This is part of a wave of confrontations targeting GOP lawmakers and such Trump aides as Homeland Security Chief Kirstjen Nielsen. And Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
With the protest expanding to conservative media figures, some of Carlson's liberal critics tweeted today that his home should be out-of-bounds.
[Cuts back to live]
Tucker Carlson is a controversial commentator but targeting homes and families breaches the boundaries of free speech. Such harassment could spark counter-protests against the left, raising the risk that one of these incidents will end badly.
BAIER: Thank you.
