Fox News' 50-foot Christmas Tree Set On Fire; Suspect Arrested

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[Update] Fox News Re-lights New 'All-American Christmas tree' In Raucous Ceremony Following the Torching Of The Original Tree By An Arsonist

A large crowd of Fox News fans -- bundled up, as temperatures hovered just above freezing -- joined some of the news network's top stars at an outdoor set outside the News Corp. building, for the re-lighting the new 'All-American Christmas tree.'

The hosts of The Five — Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Jeanine Pirro, Jessica Tarlov and Dana Perino — emceed the event, which was attended by other network stars including Bill Hemmer, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Pete Hegseth, Janice Dean, Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy, Harris Faulkner, Todd Piro, Carly Shimkus and Lawrence Jones.

The network's CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace were also in attendance.

"Somebody asked me, ‘Why are you here?'” Fox News contributor Rev. Jacques DeGraff said at the ceremony. “I’m here because these colors don’t run! Eighty years ago this week, they tried to extinguish the darkness in a place called Pearl Harbor. We didn’t fold then, and we won’t fold now because we’ve come this far by faith. In our tradition, we say this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. And the red, the white, the blue, the light of America, we’re going to let it shine!”

Fox News said in a statement that construction on the new tree commenced on Wednesday, hours after arsonist Craig Tamanaha scaled the original tree and torched it with a lighter.

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The suspect, later identified as 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha, was spotted by Fox News security just after midnight, climbing the 50-foot-tall tree at the center of Fox Square on Sixth Avenue and 48th in the heart of Midtown, New York City.

Fox News security guards reportedly tackled Tamanaha to the ground before NYPD officers arrived at the scene and took him into custody as he tried to flee. It is not yet clear why he targeted the tree. There were no reported injuries in the fire.

The suspect faces one count each of second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment, fifth-degree arson, second-degree criminal nuisance, third-degree criminal trespass, third-degree criminal tampering and disorderly conduct.

All the arrest charges are misdemeanors. However judges do not have the discretion to set bail on any of the counts. And he cannot be held on bail for the alleged crimes due to the criminal justice reforms enacted in January 2020.

Critics have pointed out that the spike in crime rates in many Democrat-led cities is a direct result of lax anti-crime laws enacted and implemented by far-left city leaders; and Marxist district attorneys funded by left-wing billionaire George Soros.

According to Fox News, the red, white and blue-themed 'All-America Christmas tree' in front of their headquarter was decorated with 10,000 glass ornaments and 100,000 lights. It took workers 21 hours to assemble the decorations.

In an internal memo to employees, CEO Suzanne Scott announced that Fox News plans to replace the tree in a new lighting ceremony.

She wrote:

Dear colleagues,

Earlier this morning, FOX News Media’s All-American Christmas tree outside our building on FOX Square was set on fire in a malicious arson attack. The 50-foot tree, which was just lit in a beautiful on-air ceremony on Sunday night, was engulfed in flames and smoke permeated the building.

There were no injuries and thankfully all employees working inside the building remained safe throughout the duration of the fire.

We are very grateful to the FDNY which quickly mobilized to extinguish the fire and the NYPD which apprehended the criminal on site, who has since been charged with arson, among multiple other crimes Our security team also did a great job responding to the incident immediately.

This has become a new wonderful tradition on FOX Square over the last three years. 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.

We are currently planning on a lighting ceremony for the new tree and will send those details once we have them.

Thank you, Suzanne

WATCH remarks about the fire incident by Fox and Friends hosts Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earheardt.