Fox News holds a relighting for newly-built ‘All-American Christmas Tree'
‘The Five’ and other Fox favorites are joined by NYPD and FDNY to debut the rebuilt All-American Christmas Tree a day after the original was destroyed in an arsonist attack.
FOX News Media held a tree-lighting ceremony for its newly rebuilt All-American Christmas Tree roughly 24 hours after it was destroyed by an alleged arsonist.
Crowds and Christmas carolers gathered outside Fox Square Thursday evening to witness the lighting of the All-American Christmas Tree.
SLIDESHOW: NEW ALL-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS TREE GOES UP ON FOX SQUARE AFTER ARSON ATTACK
"The Five" co-hosts Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Jesse Watters, Judge Jeanine Pirro and Jessica Tarlov kicked off the event and were accompanied by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Fox News contributor Reverend Jacques DeGraff and members of the FDNY and the NYPD, both who quickly responded to the arson attack.
Fox News' Lawrence Jones and Abby Hornacek, who co-hosted the first tree-lighting ceremony, also returned alongside Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Janice Dean, Mike Rowe, Pete Hegseth, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Todd Piro and Carley Shimkus.
FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott at the All-American Christmas Tree Lighting
In a memo to staffers on Wednesday, FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott announced that a new tree would be rebuilt and expressed gratitude toward FDNY and the NYPD for their quick response to the attack and for apprehending the alleged arsonist.
"We will not let this deliberate and brazen act of cowardice deter us," Scott wrote. "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."
FOX SQUARE ALL-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS TREE ARSON SUSPECT FREE ON NO BAIL
Both FOX News Media and Fox Corporation have made a $100,000 donation to Answer the Call, which provides financial assistance to the families of fallen service members of the FDNY and NYPD, the two agencies who responded immediately to the incident.
((Fox News Digital) )
The alleged arsonist, the 49-year-old homeless man Craig Tamanaha, was released from custody without bail after he was arrested Wednesday morning.
He was seen leaving a Manhattan criminal courthouse on Wednesday night following his arraignment.
"I didn’t do it," Tamanaha told reporters outside the building.
FOX News Media CEO Suzanne Scott at the All-American Christmas Tree Lighting with FDNY
The arson and other charges Tamanaha was facing – including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and criminal trespass -- were considered misdemeanors, not requiring a bail payment under liberal New York City’s laws, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bayley told the New York Post.
Video from a "Fox & Friends" team member (Laura Taglianetti/ Craig Tamanaha mug shot) (Fox News | Laura Taglianetti | )
Fox News security spotted the accused arsonist climbing the 50-foot-tall tree at the center of Fox Square just after midnight.
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Investigators said the 50-foot artificial tree was set ablaze using a burning piece of cardboard, the New York Post reported. The fire’s damage was estimated to cost about $500,000.
Fox News' Dom Calicchio contributed to this report.
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