Tucker Carlson, a former host at Fox News, was fired from the network abruptly in April 2023, prompting speculation about the reason behind his departure. While no official explanation has been given, Carlson appears to believe that his exit is tied to a rumored sale of the network by the Murdoch family, according to a report in Vanity Fair.
Despite Carlson’s immense popularity as the highest-rated cable news host in history, it appears that his controversial show had been causing issues both on and off the air. As a result, Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch and Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott decided to part ways with the host. The New York Times reported that Carlson was revealed to be a bully who belittled colleagues and sources, often using profane and sexist language. Furthermore, Carlson’s role in promoting a false account of the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, has garnered criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Lachlan Murdoch and Suzanne Scott Decided to Fire Tucker Carlson on Friday Nighthttps://t.co/moFMCXQm7z
— DragonFly (@dragonfly369hp) April 25, 2023
Although the decision to terminate Carlson’s employment surprised many of his supporters, there were indications that the end was nigh. According to the New York Times, Carlson’s documentary, “Patriot Purge,” which promoted the conspiracy theory that the attack on the Capitol was a false flag operation aimed at discrediting former President Trump, caught Murdoch off guard and caused two conservative Fox News contributors to resign in protest. The article also suggested that Carlson’s segment on the January 6 riot was a “point of contention” between him and Fox executives.
Following Carlson’s exit, Fox News issued a statement stating that both parties had agreed to part ways. The statement expressed gratitude to Carlson for his contributions as a host and contributor to the network and confirmed that his last program aired on April 21, 2023. In the interim, Fox News Tonight will feature rotating personalities until a permanent replacement for Carlson is announced.
I don't think people truly grasp how important Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter was.
The handcuffs are off.
Last night, Tucker Carlson released a video on Twitter after his sudden firing from Fox. The tweet is currently at 60M+ views and counting.
If it wasn't for @ElonMusk,… pic.twitter.com/mw6FTrnKsT
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 27, 2023
Carlson’s departure from Fox News comes on the heels of another high-profile exit. Dan Bongino, a host, also parted ways with the network recently, and his show will be replaced with “Lawrence Jones Cross Country” until a new schedule is announced.
Good evening pic.twitter.com/SPrsYKWKCE
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) April 27, 2023
Despite the controversy surrounding Carlson’s departure, Fox News remains a dominant force in cable news, with a devoted following and high ratings. As the network moves forward with its plans, viewers can expect to see a host of new faces in the lineup. However, it remains to be seen if anyone will be able to match Carlson’s level of success during his tenure at Fox News.