A lawyer for conservative pundit Tucker Carlson has issued a legal threat to a group urging the former Fox News host to become a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
Harmeet Dhillon, a former California Republican Party official who ran an unsuccessful campaign to chair the Republican National Committee (RNC) this year, called the Draft Tucker PAC a “scam” in several tweets Monday. Carlson hired Dhillon last week to defend him in a gender discrimination lawsuit from former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg. according to the Bloomberg Act.
in a letter obtained Per Mediaite, Dhillon told the group that Carlson “unequivocally disavows” the effort and “will not be running for president in 2024 under any circumstances, and therefore his misrepresentations harm Mr. Carlson and let down his supporters.”
“If you do not immediately cease and desist your efforts to solicit money to ‘recruit’ Mr. Carlson, we will use all legal means at our disposal to vindicate your rights and protect your supporters from these misrepresentations,” it added.
Despite Carlson himself saying he has no desire to run for president, the PAC released a video announcement Thursday insisting it is “ready to lead” and “stand up to” President Joe Biden in the coming presidential election. Dhillon first responded to the video in a tweet on Saturday, making it clear that the group was “unauthorized” and did not have permission to use Carlson’s likeness.
“As Tucker’s attorney, I can state unequivocally that this PAC is unauthorized, that the people running it did not get his permission to use his name/likeness, and that it would be fruitless to contribute to such a PAC,” Dhillon said. tweeted.
Jason Koerner/Getty
Dhillon stepped up the rhetoric on Monday, warning donors it was “SCAM PAC season” and they were “getting ripped off.” He also criticized the conservative Newsmax network for apparently airing the PAC ad.
“Anyone who donates to this frivolous and transparently self-serving attempt by complete strangers to collect money and data from donors using Tucker’s name and likeness is being scammed and will likely include his name on a list of countless political donation proposals. on behalf of some other candidate”, tweeted Dhillon.
“It’s dishonest to raise money using someone else’s name without their consent, period,” he continued. “I understand that Newsmax is running an ad based on this scam. I hope they stop making a quick buck from this scam as well. They owe their viewers better than this.”
It’s that season: SCAM PAC season!
Everyone who donates to this frivolous and transparently selfish attempt by total strangers to collect money and data from donors using Tucker’s name and likeness is being scammed and will likely get their name on a list for endless… https://t.co/kbOKjf0aHM
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) May 22, 2023
A short time later, Dhillon saying that she was “pleased to report that Newsmax is pulling the ads as soon as possible, at least for now.” Apparently, the PAC’s Twitter account went offline around the same time, as well as an affiliate account. website.
The website described Carlson as “the last GREAT American”, urging visitors to “register and donate below if you’re ready for a Tucker Carlson presidency.” Links to donate amounts from $10 to $250 were redirected to the RNC-backed WinRed fundraising website.
The video, preserved on Twitter by former federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski and others, praises Carlson for being “articulate” and able to combat “leftists of both parties.” He also compares Carlson to the late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh and praises his ability to scoff at “wake-up nonsense.”
“Tucker Carlson is ready to lead,” the ad says. “No one in America is more outspoken and catches up with leftists in both parties better than Tucker. Tucker always fought for us, as Rush Limbaugh did. Tucker Carlson is witty, sharp, and scoffs at nonsense.”
“Tucker will whip Biden in a debate,” he continues. “Sign the Petition, Redact Tucker Carlson for President.”
Chris Ekstrom, a former Republican congressional candidate who serves as chairman of the Draft Tucker PAC, said he “loosely” knows Carlson personally in an interview. published by The hill on Friday.
Ekstrom argued that Carlson’s entry into the race would “move the debate as far to the right as it should be” and provide a “rude awakening” for the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce your candidacy soon.
Speculation that Carlson could run for president, or possibly become Trump’s running mate, increased after he was fired from Fox News last month. Carlson has said that he intends to relaunch his career as a conservative commentator with a show on Twitter instead.
news week has reached out to Draft Tucker PAC by email for comment.