The Fox News Carlson Departure and Show Rebrand
Fox News has confirmed that Tucker Carlson is leaving the network after more than a decade with the channel. Carlson’s final episode aired on a recent Friday, and Justin Wells, the executive producer, was also removed from his role. The show will relaunch as Fox News Tonight, featuring a rotating lineup of hosts in the interim and a permanent host to be announced in due course.
Market observers noted a dip in Fox News’ market value following the announcement. Reports described a decline in market capitalization and a drop in shares, movements often associated with Carlson’s high-profile presence at the network.
Tucker Carlson Tonight
For over five years, Tucker Carlson Tonight occupied the 8 p.m. weekday slot and drew attention after Carlson succeeded Bill O’Reilly in 2017. From 2017 through 2020, Carlson’s program consistently ranked among the top two Fox News offerings, behind only Sean Hannity’s Primetime. In recent quarterly figures, Carlson’s program and Hannity averaged roughly 3.25 million viewers, with a large portion of the audience aged 25 to 54, a critical demographic for advertisers.
On air, Carlson became known for bold stunts and a distinctive sign-off inviting viewers to return next week: “We’ll be back on Monday. In the meantime, have a great weekend with your loved ones.”
Briefings from sources familiar with the situation suggested Carlson did not receive a prior warning before the layoff, and the decision went public in late April. Carlson joined Fox News as a reporter in 2009 and later co-hosted Fox & Friends Weekend from 2012 to 2016.
Shortly after Fox News announced Carlson’s dismissal, Don Lemon, a longtime CNN anchor, revealed on social media that he had been fired. CNN later stated that Lemon was offered a managerial meeting but chose to announce his departure on social media instead.
Legal matters
The departure coincides with Fox News reaching a settlement in a defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion alleged that Fox News aired false claims about the 2020 election, and the agreement involved a substantial monetary settlement to the plaintiff. The discussions involved multiple parties and reflected ongoing tensions between the networks and the voting technology supplier.
In a separate development, former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg filed a lawsuit alleging a misogynistic and discriminatory culture within the newsroom. Grossberg asserted that on her first day the office displayed large photos of Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a swimsuit, and the suit was filed in March 2023.
Political commentary
Carlson was known for aligning with former President Donald Trump during his term, often taking provocative positions on immigration and race relations. He frequently criticized Democratic figures and pressed questions on policy matters after Joe Biden took office. In early 2022, Carlson questioned Ukraine aid and urged scrutiny of how previously allocated funds were spent. He later suggested that Biden allies were prolonging the Ukraine conflict and described legal actions against Trump in March 2023 as political purges.
At the outset of Russia’s military actions and the related sanctions, Carlson defended Vladimir Putin and challenged viewers with questions about the rationale behind such views. Carlson’s remarks drew wide attention in international media, and after his departure there were reports about potential collaboration with Vladimir Solovyov, inviting consideration of a role as an expert or presenter if opportunities arise.