Tucker Carlson's show on Twitter makes ad deal with anti-ESG shopping app

Important Points

Carlson began the show after Fox News parted with him in the wake of its settlement for Dominion Voting’s defamation suit against the network.

One of the first advertisers for Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host and new Twitter show, has been signed.

According to sources familiar with the deal, Carlson has agreed to a seven figure advertising contract with Public Square. The app promotes itself to conservatives as the "starting place" to fight against environmental, social, and governance policies.

They chose not to name themselves in order to be able to freely speak about a deal that is yet to be publicized. Carlson representatives did not respond to requests for comments before publication.

Carlson's show, which he launched after Fox News parted with him in April, attracts millions of viewers, although some say that the numbers have fallen since his first episode, in June. Carlson's Fox show reportedly generated $77.5 million worth of advertising revenue last year.

Carlson left Fox News after its parent company, Fox News Networks Inc., settled a defamation suit filed by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. The host played a prominent role in the public debate over the lawsuit.

Carlson is even more conservative on Twitter now than on his Fox primetime show. Carlson's show was criticized recently for hosting social media personality Andrew Tate who had been accused of human trafficking and sexual assault by Romanian investigators. Tate, as well as his brother, have denied any wrongdoing.

Axios reported that Fox News sent Carlson a cease and desist letter as he increased his Twitter presence after he left the company. According to Axios, Carlson remains under contract with Fox. The company also maintains that his contract will keep his content exclusive until December 31, 2024. Carlson's staff responded to the letter with a statement that said: "Tucker won't be silenced."

Carlson's program seems to fit well with Public Square, which has a conservative bent.

Michael Seifert is the CEO of Public Square. He previously spoke about how his company wants to take on ESG. ESG has been a target among Republican legislators at the federal and state levels, as well as right-wing officials, media figures and other right-wingers.

There's a cool parallel economy ecosystem created. It all begins with consumer spending. In an interview with Breitbart, he stated that "we hate ESG and DEI [Diversity Equity and Inclusion], and we discuss these policies in the media all the time." "But shifting consumer spending is the only way we can topple corrupt philosophies which are destroying our economies." We've created the easiest guide to get you started.

Seifert refused to comment.

Carlson is expected to begin airing Public Square ads in late August. According to the Daily Mail, Public Square will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange soon through a merger between Colombier Acquisition Corp. and a special-purpose acquisition company.

In a press release published in February, Public Square was told that the merger "is expected" to bring up to $158.5 million in cash to the company. Omeed Malik, a Wall Street veteran, is the leader of Colombier Acquisition Corp.

According to the release, Blake Masters, a former Arizona Senate GOP candidate, and ally of Peter Thiel, was a member of Blake Masters's board. Nick Ayers who served as an aide for then-Vice President Mike Pence will also be on it. The Wall Street Journal reported that Ayers had been involved in the Thiel-backed anti-woke bank GloriFi but didn't have a management role. The Wall Street Journal reported in November the shutdown of GloriFi.

The people stated that Malik's firm, 1789 Capital is planning to become one of Carlson's early investors in his new media company. These people said that the investment will be in the eight-figure range and will take place by the end the summer. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Carlson, along with long-time ally Neil Patel, are seeking hundreds of millions of dollar to fund their company.

Patel didn't respond to a comment request.

Malik has begun fundraising for two presidential candidates: Republican Florida Governor. Carlson stated on his Twitter show that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is popular among the political fringes for his anti-vaccine views and has been a candidate in the Democratic primaries, beats President Joe Biden. According to a June Quinnipiac survey, Biden has 70% support from Democrats and Democratic-leaning Voters. Kennedy only has 17%.

Carlson is already playing a role in the presidential election of 2024 since he left Fox. Carlson recently hosted the Family Leadership Summit, in Iowa, and interviewed six Republican candidates for president.

Rebekah Mercer, a Republican billionaire and megadonor, is also a key financier for 1789 Capital. PitchBook lists Mercer's role as an executive with 1789 Capital. The New York Post reported Mercer and Masters were among a group that invested in a 1789 Capital fund called EIG or entrepreneurship innovation and growth.

Masters is listed as a board member on the website of 1789 Capital.

Mercer is known for her support of conservative causes. She and other members of her family helped to finance Breitbart.

Rebekah Mercer was also an investor in Parler, which was a social media site that was intended to appeal conservatives. It was shut down after it was sold. A spokesperson for Mercer didn't respond to a comment request.

During the 2016 elections, Donald Trump was supported by the Mercer family. Robert Mercer, Rebekah Mercer's father donated just under $15 million to a super PAC which first backed Ted Cruz's failed election and then Trump.

Robert Mercer also invested in the now defunct data company Cambridge Analytica. This company was accused of using Facebook data to support both Cruz and Trump, at different times. The company denied these claims. Rebekah Mercer was on the board of directors.