Tucker Carlson Helps the Fired and Canceled

Former Fox News host privately helps people in job crises

My friend Janice Dean of Fox News wrote today about Tucker Carlson that there are “countless stories of him helping his friends quietly, behind the scenes and away from the spotlight.”

I know Janice is right because I am of those Tucker has helped in private for no reason other than to be kind. While Tucker has been silent, others have come forward to tell their stories of his private generosity.

Carlson and Fox abruptly “parted ways” on Monday. It’s not been made public the reason for his leaving the highly-rated, prime-time show.

Take the Hit

I actually wrote to you about the time Tucker helped me during one of the worst moments of my career, but I hid his identity.  The story is in this Substack post two years ago about FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn making me the scapegoat for his mistake about COVID:

The Real Story about my 11th Day at the FDA (Part 2)

Hahn told me that he was leaking to the press that I had been fired even though I had done nothing wrong. I asked if I could make a call in his conference room before deciding to stay or leave the FDA. This is what I wrote about “Jack” who is Tucker Carlson:

I called a friend who is my go-to in the worst times in DC. He’s high profile, so let’s call him Jack [Tucker].

He’s incredibly loyal, caring and can empathize because he’s been through all of this and much worse. 

After I spilled out the basic details of what had just happened with Hahn, [Tucker] said,  “The Left has been planning this attack on you all week, you know that right?”

“No, what do you mean?”

“Media Matters did a huge takedown of you with all their ridiculous accusations, but then the liberal media has started using it to build a case against you,” he said. How did I miss this? 

“Well of course you don’t know” [Tucker] said kindly. “You have an actual job to do and wouldn’t have time to read these fringe outlets and Twitter.”

He patiently walked me through my options and then came to a conclusion and said definitively, “Emily, for now, just stay employed. If he’s asking you to stay and help him, that’s what you do. And don’t respond publicly. Take this hit and keep working.” 

I took notes on his directions as he talked to follow if I panicked when I went back to Hahn.

At this point, the full media attack had begun. CNN must have had me on every half hour because everyone was calling from seeing me on TV, from family to old friends around the country.

I took Tucker’s advice and stayed working in my position at the FDA through the end of the Trump administration.

Calling the Canceled

Janice also wrote about Tucker, “I’ve been the recipient of his kindness many times, and I’ve never seen or heard him do anything mean or hurtful to anyone.”

Janice and I aren’t the only ones sharing stories of Tucker’s generous spirit. (This is starting to read like an obituary, but on the contrary, I expect Tucker to be more successful than ever in whatever he does next.)

A young conservative named Nate Hochman was canceled by the center-right last year (this Substack article by

Aaron Renn

explains the back story.) Hochman tweeted on Monday:

Tucker Carlson once called me, out of the blue, because he had heard through friends that I was going through a rough patch. We had never spoken before, but he took 45 minutes out of his night to offer support/advice. It remains one of the most surreal experiences of my life

One of the most powerful men in conservative politics took the time to sit down and call some random 23 year old kid he had never met — just to tell him to hang in there, and to ask if there was anything he could do to help. It’s something I will never forget

Job Security

I first met Tucker in 2013 when he was interested in hiring me for the Daily Caller when I was at The Washington Times. We had a long meeting to get to know each other. I was surprised when he said he had been impressed by how I had survived the scandal with my ex-fiance (more on that here) and came back stronger by starting a new career as a print journalist.

That’s when I learned that Tucker empathizes with people who were fired or canceled because he’s lived it. He’s humble and jokes about being fired multiple times (CNN, MSNBC), but he remembers the fear of not being able to pay the bills. He gets it that unemployment feels endless.

Reporter Jim Stinson tweeted that he also heard from Tucker when job hunting:

Tucker Carlson once learned I was between jobs, and said he would do what he could. He's a nice guy. People who offer help are the best people.

Over the years, Tucker has offered detailed career advice, a sympathetic ear and also recommended me for a prominent job. His most helpful piece of advice is…