Update (10/25/22): Tyrus has canceled his Medina County GOP fundraiser. The organization wrote on Facebook: “Fox News Producer forced Tyrus to Withdraw over a liberal news story.”
Tyrus also dropped out of the Pierce County event. Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz, who has frequently appeared at Republican events while working at Fox News, spoke instead. Republican Senate nominee Tiffany Smiley also attended the fundraiser. (It’s not clear why the Fox policy applies to Tyrus but not Chaffetz.)
Fox News has canceled numerous speeches by network personalities following Media Matters’ reporting.
Fox News personality Tyrus is scheduled to speak at two Republican fundraisers in the lead-up to next month’s midterm elections. His appearances contradict Fox’s claim that campaign events aren’t allowed for network “talent.”
Fox News claimed in November 2018 that it “does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” and The Washington Post reported in December 2019 that a Fox News “spokeswoman said the network has addressed the issue with its contributors and hosts, as well as third-party agents who book events.” Still, numerous Fox News personalities have participated in Republican events in recent years.
Tyrus, also known as George Murdoch, is a Fox News contributor who also co-hosts a Fox News podcast. He appears on both the network’s opinion and “news” programming.
Tyrus is the keynote speaker for a sold-out October 22 fundraiser for the Pierce County Republican Party in Washington. In promoting the event, the Republican organization has repeatedly referenced his affiliation with Fox News. He is also the keynote speaker for an October 28 fundraiser for the Republican Party of Medina County in Ohio. The group has also touted his Fox News affiliation.
Tyrus previously attempted to host a fundraiser for the unsuccessful campaign of then-Nevada GOP congressional candidate Daniel Rodimer. Following Media Matters’ reporting on it, references to him were removed from the event page.
Tyrus’ former podcast co-host Britt McHenry previously sued him and Fox News for sexual harassment and retalation. She voluntarily dismissed the suit last year, with The Daily Beast reporting that “according to two sources familiar with the matter, McHenry has settled with Fox News—likely with a nondisclosure agreement and undisclosed cash settlement—and will leave the network.” (Tyrus has denied the allegations.)