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Fox News host Tucker Carlson called the burning of the Fox News "All-American Christmas Tree" an "attack on Christianity" on his program Wednesday night.
"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," Carlson said.
Carlson called the burning of the Christmas tree an "attack on religious observance" and said that if the act had been directed toward any other religious group it, would have been labeled a "hate crime" by the Biden administration.
“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. Why is that? Well, because they couldn’t care less," Carlson continued.
The "All-American Christmas Tree" was a 50-foot Christmas tree that was set ablaze just after midnight Wednesday morning outside of the Fox News building, allegedly by suspect Craig Tamanaha.
A Christmas tree is a symbol. It\u2019s a symbol of a specific culture. It\u2019s a symbol of a much-loved tradition that\u2019s hundreds of years old. Above all, it\u2019s a symbol of a religion, the world\u2019s largest. Torching Christmas trees is an attack on Christianity.pic.twitter.com/enFRpnT0mQ— Tucker Carlson (@Tucker Carlson) 1639014413
Fox News security personnel quickly apprehended the 49-year-old homeless man and handed him over to police.
Tamanaha faces multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, criminal nuisance, criminal tampering, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and reckless endangerment.
There has been no reported motive for the act of arson at this time.
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott announced in a company memo that the tree will be replaced Thursday, and that a lighting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. outside Fox Square.
Update: Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott says in memo to staff that the network\u2019s new Christmas tree will be installed by Thursday afternoon \u201cas a sign of resiliance and hope in the face of a horrible act.\u201d Scott says it will be lit live on air during \u201cThe Five\u201d tomorrow.pic.twitter.com/M1orapgAOr— Oliver Darcy (@Oliver Darcy) 1639006565
"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 in her memo to Fox News employees Wednesday.
The lighting of the new tree will be featured on the program "The Five" and hosted by Lawrence Jones and Abby Hornacek, who hosted the original tree lighting ceremony before it was burned down, Scott said.