FOXLEAKS: Tucker Carlson's creepy behind-the-scenes comments

Tucker Carlson

Recently dismissed ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson told a colleague preparing to interview him, “If we’re going to talk about sex, I’d love to hit some of the fine points of technique,” in a new behind-the-scenes video obtained by Media Matters.

The New York Times reported last Wednesday that due to Carlson’s “indiscretion… more evidence of embarrassing and inappropriate conduct could emerge,” highlighting videos obtained by the paper in which Carlson discusses his “postmenopausal fans” and described a woman as “yummy.” Media Matters has also obtained those videos, published below, which paint a picture of Carlson’s behavior on Fox’s set.

Fox cut ties with its biggest star last Monday without warning or public explanation. The rationale for his forced departure remains unclear, but some have speculated that it is related to misogynistic comments Carlson made that were revealed during Dominion’s defamation lawsuit against the network, or that it is related to a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Carlson producer who alleges that she was subjected to a misogynistic workplace. 

The previously unreported video obtained by Media Matters shows Carlson speaking with Fox Nation host Piers Morgan, who is about to interview him.

“If we're going to talk about sex, I'd love to hit some of the fine points of technique, but, you know, but it's your show. It's totally up to you,” Carlson tells Morgan.

Morgan responds, “We can certainly talk about your sexual technique, especially after your tanning testicles last week,” a reference to Carlson’s endorsement of that practice in his End of Men Fox Nation special as a way to reduce the purported decline in testosterone levels.  

“Not mine,” Carlson replies, adding, “We'll speak in more general terms, but I've got something to add.”

Carlson is wearing the same outfit he wears in the video for an April 2022 interview on Morgan’s TalkTV show. They discussed Morgan’s criticism of Meghan Markle, Carlson’s “gut feeling” that former President Donald Trump wouldn’t seek reelection and whether Carlson himself would run, and Elon Musk’s then-pending takeover of Twitter. Carlson’s sexual “technique” did not come up.

Video file

Citation A video obtained by Media Matters.

TUCKER CARLSON: Everyone in this company is thrilled that you're doing this. I've gotten more calls from people about it.

PIERS MORGAN: Oh, that's great. Well, I got to say, when I came to New York a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't believe how welcoming and friendly everybody was. It was fantastic. I loved it.

CARLSON: Yeah, they really mean it from the owners on down. It's cool. It's cool to see it. I like that. It's a good — you know, people are nice in this company, I think. They've always been nice to me, anyway.

[CROSSTALK]

MORGAN: I completely agree. Everyone's been very, very friendly and very nice and I really appreciate it. But thank you so much for coming on.

CARLSON: Yeah I bet that doesn't change. Of course! Of course.

MORGAN: It's just great to have you on my show. I mean, I've been on yours enough times. It's great.

CARLSON: I think it's totally cool. So let's —-- is, if we're going to talk about sex, I'd love to hit some of the fine points of technique, but, you know, but it's your show. It's totally up to you.

MORGAN: We can certainly talk about your sexual technique, especially after your tanning testicles last week.

CARLSON: Not mine! We'll speak in more general terms, but I've got something to add.

Media Matters also obtained the videos first reported by the Times.

Carlson, in the first video on the set of his Tucker Carlson Tonight Fox News show, tells someone who is off-camera, “You wouldn't. Okay? I'm not, you know what, I'm not qualified on that score. I will say, I thought his girlfriend was kind of yummy.”

He goes on to say that he is “just kidding, in case this is being pulled off the bird,” a slang term for a communications satellite. He continues, “Hey, Media Matters for America, go fuck yourself,” adding, “I don't even know what his girlfriend looks like. And if I did, I would not find her yummy.”

Video file

Citation A video obtained by Media Matters.

In the second video, Carlson, on the set of his Tucker Carlson Today streaming show, tells someone off camera, “I can never assess my appearance. I wait for my postmenopausal fans to weigh in on that.” He is apparently about to record, as a staffer is fixing his hair. As he puts on his earpiece he quips, “What, they want to control me from afar? Okay, I'm putting the leash on.” 

Apparently responding to something he hears from off-camera, Carlson laughs, and shouts, “Fuck it, we'll do it live!” a reference to an infamous behind-the-scenes clip from his Fox predecessor, Bill O’Reilly.

Video file

Citation A video obtained by Media Matters.

Media Matters published leaked video yesterday of Carlson privately criticizing the Fox streaming service he headlined, saying that “nobody watches Fox Nation because the site sucks.” The video shows Carlson prepping for an interview in which he said he would be “speaking to an exile in Romania and welcoming him back into the brotherhood of journalists” – an apparent reference to his August 2022 sitdown with arch-misogynist Andrew Tate.