Greenwich’s Carl Higbie questions if BlackRock played a role in Tucker Carlson’s firing

The resonance of Fox News”™ abrupt firing without public explanation of high-rated prime-time host Tucker Carlson continues to generate speculation, with a new theory floated by Carl Higbie that the investment company BlackRock (NYSE:BK) might have leveraged influence in Carlson”™s ouster.

Higbie, a Greenwich resident and former political consultant/activist, used his Newsmax program “Carl Higbie Frontline” to highlight how Carlson repeatedly ran afoul of the investing goals of BlackRock, which has $8.6 trillion in assets under its management. Higbie pointed out that Carlson used his Fox News show to criticize ESG-focused investing, the pharmaceutical companies behind the Covid vaccines and the neoconservative political factions advocating for U.S. military involvement abroad ”“ adding that BlackRock was heavily invested in ESG endeavors, the pharmaceutical sector and leading defense industry companies.

Furthermore, Higbie continued, BlackRock was not neutral in its politics ”“ former chairman Tom Donilon was tapped last year to sit on the Biden administration”™s Foreign Affairs Policy Board.

And BlackRock is not a passive observer of Fox News”™ activities ”“ Higbie cited BlackRock”™s investment level in Fox Class A stock increased earlier this year to 15%, thus giving it “a seat at the table” for voicing input on the media company”™s operations and direction.

Still, Higbie stressed that there is no evidence that BlackRock”™s leadership agitated for Carlson”™s dismissal.

“I”™m not making any allegations or conclusions ”“ I”™ll leave that up to you,” Higbie told his audience, adding “I just think it”™s an interesting trail of money. It”™s all public. I”™ll leave you to react and find whatever conclusions you want.”

Photo of Carl Higbie by Phil Hall