The burning of the Christmas tree outside of Fox News’ New York offices was an “attack on Christianity,” Fox News host and Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson said Wednesday night.
Tucker made the statement during the Wednesday evening episode of “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” hours after a New York man was arrested on charges of arson for allegedly setting fire to the tree. (RELATED: New York Sees Surge In Grand Larcenies As City Returns To Normal)
“A Christmas tree is a symbol. It’s a symbol of a specific culture. It’s a symbol of a much-loved tradition that’s hundreds of years old. Above all, it’s a symbol of a religion, the world’s largest. Torching Christmas trees is an attack on Christianity, obviously. It’s an assault on religious observance,” Tucker said, adding that such attacks on other religions would be considered a “hate crime.”
“The DOJ can tell you precisely how many Qurans were burned last year in the United States, but they don’t keep track of Christmas trees,” he continued. “Why is that? Well, because they couldn’t care less.”
A Christmas tree is a symbol. It’s a symbol of a specific culture. It’s a symbol of a much-loved tradition that’s hundreds of years old. Above all, it’s a symbol of a religion, the world’s largest. Torching Christmas trees is an attack on Christianity. pic.twitter.com/enFRpnT0mQ
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) December 9, 2021
Fox News executives have already announced plans to replace the tree by as soon as Thursday afternoon, with plans to broadcast the lighting of the tree live. Fox CEO Suzanne Scott announced in a company-wide email that the new tree would be lit during “The Five” on Thursday with hosts Lawrence Jones and Abby Horancek hosting the event.
Update: Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott says in memo to staff that the network’s new Christmas tree will be installed by Thursday afternoon “as a sign of resiliance and hope in the face of a horrible act.” Scott says it will be lit live on air during “The Five” tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/M1orapgAOr
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) December 8, 2021
“We will not let this deliberate and brazen act of cowardice deter us. We are in the process of rebuilding and installing a new tree as a message that there can be peace, light and joy even during a dark moment like this,” Scott wrote.