The announcement of Tucker Carlson and Fox News parting ways in April surprised many, as “Tucker Carlson Tonight” had consistently attracted three million viewers. While the retirement of Carlson was initially disclosed without an official explanation, subsequent reports have shed light on the behind-the-scenes events.
Michael Wolff, in an MSNBC interview discussing his latest book, “The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty,” revealed that then-Fox News chairman Rupert Murdoch decided to let Carlson go, despite a personal liking for him. Wolff claimed that Fox News fired Carlson because of the Dominion lawsuit, though Fox has denied this.
Soon after New York Magazine released an excerpt from Wolff’s book detailing Carlson’s departure from Fox, Murdoch announced his resignation as chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corp. His son, Lachlan Murdoch, is set to take over as the chairman of News Corp. and will continue as the executive chair and CEO of Fox Corporation.
Vanity Fair suggested that Murdoch might have been angered by Carlson’s speech at the Heritage Foundation’s 50th Anniversary gala, where he spoke about his Christian and conservative beliefs and referred to those who disagreed with him as “advocating for evil.” According to an inside source, this deeply spiritual discourse was unsettling to Rupert Murdoch.
Other theories revolve around the legal dispute between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News. Dominion initiated legal proceedings against the network, alleging defamation, particularly in response to on-air claims that their technology was involved in “stealing” the 2020 presidential election from Donald Trump. In addition to Carlson being one of the anchors who made these allegations, court documents reportedly revealed derogatory texts by Carlson towards Fox News colleagues and critical remarks about Trump.
Wolff’s book suggests that Carlson’s departure was connected to the ongoing legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems, with Carlson effectively offered as a sacrificial component in the settlement. This was a strategic move by Murdoch to ensure that the financial agreement with Dominion didn’t exceed $1 billion. It’s important to note that this connection differs from initial reports.
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It’s been reported that Carlson had a meal with Murdoch and Smith before the decision, and this meal seemingly reinforced Murdoch’s personal fondness for Tucker.
In Wolff’s book, he writes, “He liked him considerably more than he liked Sean Hannity, whom he despised. But there was also a perception that the problems he caused outweighed his worth. The Fox backlash could often appear to be Tucker backlash among his offspring. Without him, how could you possibly reduce the Fox temperature? How about twenty percent? How about thirty percent? Perhaps more? This was a Murdoch calculation: ‘How much could Fox be toned down without losing its identity?'”
Following Carlson’s departure, Fox reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion.
A biography of Carlson by Chadwick Moore, published in August, outlines Tucker’s perspective on why he believes he was let go from Fox News, which appears to align with Wolff’s views.
“They agreed to take me off the air, along with my show, as a condition of the Dominion settlement,” Carlson told Moore, as reported by The Guardian. “They were compelled to reach a resolution; Rupert was unable to testify. I believe that agreement was reached mere minutes before the trial began. I mean, I’m certain it was.”
In April, Fox News released a concise statement about the termination of Carlson’s program: “FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We appreciate his contributions as a host and before that as a contributor to the network. Mr. Carlson’s final program aired on April 21. Fox News Tonight will air live tonight at 8 p.m. ET with alternating FOX News personalities serving as interim hosts until a permanent replacement is named.”
In May, The Hill reported that both Dominion and Fox News refuted the notion that Carlson’s dismissal was linked to a settlement. A representative from Dominion made it clear in a statement to Best Life that the allegations made by Wolff are untrue: “Both Dominion and Fox News have already confirmed this claim is categorically false. Any contrary assertion is simply untrue.”
Fox provided the following statement in response to questions about the book: “The fact that this author’s books have been parodied on Saturday Night Live tells us everything we need to know.”
