Insider Finance - Business - Tucker Carlson’s GOP deal

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May 4, 2023

May the Fourth be with you, Insiders! This is Josée Rose, executive editor in Insider’s business division. Today, we’re looking at how the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson won concessions from Kevin McCarthy in a deal that made him Speaker of the House, per his texts obtained by Insider.

The text messages show how Carlson shaped the direction of the Republican party behind the scenes, using his powerful primetime perch before his surprise firing last month.

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— Josée Rose

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THE BIG STORY

Tucker’s GOP power

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Jason Koerner/Getty Images; REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

Tucker Carlson helped broker the deal that made Kevin McCarthy House speaker, the former Fox News host said in text messages obtained by Insider.

McCarthy had led congressional Republicans to a disappointing midterm election in November 2022, winning just 222 seats in the House of Representatives. He needed 218 votes to win his bid to become House speaker.

Around 20 far-right Republicans initially refused to back McCarthy, as well as all elected Democrats. The result was 14 failed rounds of votes — the most-contested speaker election in more than 150 years.

On his Fox News show in January, Carlson demanded that McCarthy put the far-right lawmaker Rep. Thomas Massie on a committee. Carlson said in texts that McCarthy agreed, and McCarthy won the speakership the next day.

As the former Fox News host said in a text, "That's a win."

READ THE FULL STORY

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This edition was curated by Josée Rose, and edited by Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan, Diamond Naga Siu, and J.R. Stacey. Get in touch: insidertoday@insider.com.

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Insider Finance - Business - Tucker Carlson’s GOP deal

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