How Tyson Became the Chicken King (Udgivet 1994) (2024)

Don Tyson, the chairman of Tyson Foods and America's chicken king, was given the red look of a child caught snooping on an X-rated videotape. Two other company executives also appeared somewhat embarrassed when they were seen huddled around a television in the elegant headquarters, where Andy Warhol competed for wall space with stuffed marlins.

“Oh, uh, we're just watching a commercial for Butterball turkeys,” Mister muttered. Tyson, as one of the other men quickly reached over to turn off the television. "I have to go anyway."

Only after the boss left did one of the participants confess. They had seen a videotape called “The Clinton Chronicles,” an 83-minute, innuendo-laden attack on President Clinton, with inflammatory accusations about the government. Tyson's relationship with his fellow Arkansans in the White House.

Tyson Foods Inc. is the world's largest poultry producer and processor, but its name has been in the news more often lately due to its ties to President Clinton and his administration.

First came the revelation that Tyson's general counsel had spearheaded Hillary Rodham Clinton's unusually profitable cattle futures trading. Subsequently, the Justice Department recommended the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate whether Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy broke the law by accepting flights, accommodations and football tickets from Tyson.

In a clear sign that all is not well, Tyson's problems ended in a late-night monologue from David Letterman. At some point last night at Mr. Espy's plane, hit Mr. Letterman deadpanned: “Good news, ladies and gentlemen. President Clinton announced today that the Tyson chicken company will fly U.S. combat troops to Haiti for free.”