Fox News appears to be doing more preemptive damage control as it braces itself for the “legal bloodbath” it may soon be facing for the way it mislead viewers about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.
The network has just cut ties with Diamond & Silk (aka Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson), the coronavirus conspiracy theorists who frequently appear as guests on Fox News shows and have contributed original content to its online streaming service Fox Nation since 2018.
The sudden split comes just a few weeks after the network also fired one of its most popular prime time hosts, Trish Regan, after she labeled the coronavirus pandemic a politically motivated “scam” by Democrats.
Over the past several weeks, Diamond & Silk have used Fox’s platform to peddle all sorts of bogus conspiracy theories and flat out lies about the coronavirus, including claiming that it was “engineered” in a lab and that it’s being “deliberately spread” by the “deep state.”
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“After what they’ve said and tweeted you won’t be seeing them on Fox Nation or Fox News anytime soon,” a source tells The Daily Beast.
Related: Fox News purportedly bracing for “legal bloodbath” after peddling coronavirus misinformation
At one point, the sisters tweeted that if you expose yourself to the virus you will become immune to it. Twitter later deleted the tweet. In response to the tweet being deleted, they posted a video discouraging people from accepting any coronavirus vaccine that Bill Gates was involved in because he’s pushing for “population control.”
The network has not responded to any requests for comment on Diamond & Silk’s abrupt termination; however, in the past it has often dismissed their outrageous falsehoods by saying the women aren’t technically full-time Fox employees, which, apparently, frees the network of any responsibility for the things they say on its platform.
The termination comes shortly after the network was hit with a class action lawsuit by a nonprofit in Washington State accusing it of “willfully and maliciously” spreading false information about the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 10-page complaint, filed last month by a watchdog organization called the Washington League for Increased Transparency and Ethics, accuses the network of launching a “campaign of deception and omission regarding the danger of the international proliferation of the novel coronavirus.”
Related: Fox News is officially being sued for peddling coronavirus misinformation
Cam
Fox had ZERO problems with the fake and dangerous information those two were pushing. It was only after a lawsuit was filed, saying that FOX executives know how dangerous Covid19 is, but at the same time were having their employees push out dangerous phony conspiracy theories and are therefore liable, that they fired them.
Firing people after a lawsuit is filed is a belated but typical strategy for people who know they are guilty. It’s a way of trying to tell the court “See, we tried to act responsibly”.
It looks like the plaintiffs have some good proof and FOX is scared.
FOX’s goal for 20 years has been to attack and weaken American institutions and this country. They are finally being held responsible for it.
Mr-DJ
Yep – Just like the people who are always apologizing with tears in their eyes, sorry about something, but who seriously just mean they are sorry they got CAUGHT!! Fox knew who and what they were hiring.
Taiyoken
If “misleading viewers” is cause to fire staff from Fox News, how is there anyone still working there?
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Let’s not forget those two ignorant repugnant cows are also “Special Advisors” to President Dontard Trunmpf …
Cam
Then they should change their names to Adderall and Depends.
Jim
FOX has deep pockets but let’s sue them into bankruptcy
Creamsicle
This could be a real chance to destroy Fox News. They’re putting people in danger and they’re not going to stop unless someone makes them.
SteveM
I agree – I, too, hope Fix News is eventually sunk by a tidal-wave of successful law suits. But, Rupert Murdoch does have deep pockets.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I feel sorry for Harris Faulkner. I know she would love to leave for another network and wishes she had’ve when she had the chance. Now no network wants her either. When you lay down with dogs dear you get up with fleas.
Kangol2
These two had really had better hope that the proverbial chickens don’t come home to roost in their henhouse regarding Covid-19. They fit a number of key demographics for people who are suffering the worst morbidity and outcome incidences and rates, so I hope they wake up and leap off the crazy train, no matter how much wealthy right-wingers are paying them to spout such nonsense.
radiooutmike
I think what isn’t being addressed is something pretty obvious.
The only people who have been fired have been women. Trish Regan at Fox Business and now Silk & Diamond. So, you can still make outrageous claims, spout buffoonery– but if you’re a white straight male it’s all good.
Nothing here to see.
Cam
So true!
Mack
And Herr Dumdum in the White House has called on FOX to re-instate them. Guess he’s all for the fake crap they put out but then again so does he.
paul dorian lord fredine
occasionally every bad day has a bit of good news.
Joshooeerr
Ah, Rupert. So supportive of those who will do his dirty work right up to the point where their lies and deceptions are exposed, then he dumps them, as though it never had anything to do with him. He does exactly the same with governments around the world. Just watch: he threw his influence (and money) behind Trump, but we’re fast approaching the point where Trump will be deemed too toxic and will have to go. Rupert will momentarily back the left (“time for a change”), just to shake up the right and make them more beholden to him next time around.
nitejonboy
Bye Felecia, cu-ts!!
TedV
You know times are tough when even the House Negroes get fired.
Manchester
So Rhinestone and Polyester have finally been thrown under the bus. I give them 2 weeks before they start begging to be let back into the BBQ’s and start playing the victims. Pigs.
mozzer
DIAMOND & SILK?…more like CUBIC ZIRCONIA & POLYESTER. BYE WIGS!