Immediately after Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News was announced, Russia Today, a state-funded news network, offered him a job.
The Kremlin-funded outlet tweeted at Carlson: ‘Hey Tucker Carlson you can always find out more [with Russia Today].”
Carlson’s show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, was featured frequently on Russian state television, with pro-Kremlin propagandists often using it to criticize the West and the United States’ position on the conflict in Ukraine.
Fox News confirmed that Carlson’s Friday show was his last appearance on the network.
Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of Fox Corp., was allegedly responsible for the decision to fire Carlson.
Fox News Media released a succinct statement, announcing that the network and Carlson have mutually agreed to end their association immediately.
The cause of Carlson’s departure was not disclosed by the network.
According to the statement released by Fox News Media, the network expressed its gratitude to Tucker Carlson for his contributions as host and former contributor.
News of Carlson’s departure was received negatively in the stock market, with shares of Fox Corporation falling nearly 5%.
On his Friday show, there was no indication that Carlson would potentially leave the network.
As he wrapped up his regular show, he informed viewers that he would be back on Monday. Citing people familiar with the matter, the Los Angeles Times reported that Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch was tasked with spearheading Carlson’s firing.
Abby Grossberg, the former bookings manager for “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” has filed a discrimination complaint alleging she was bullied and subjected to sexist and anti-Semitic remarks. According to the newspaper, Carlson’s dismissal is related to this lawsuit.
Additionally, Rupert Murdoch was allegedly worried about Carlson’s coverage of the January 6, 2021 US Capitol uprising, during which Carlson aired a series of conspiracy theories. A source from Fox’s management team shared with Semafor that this is a typical example of Murdoch’s approach to weeding out those who were previously his favorites. “You are their closest friend, their favorite child, and now you are dead,” the source said.
Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million last week, but that did not involve the firing of Tucker Carlson. Carlson, the host of Fox News Channel’s primetime Tucker Carlson Tonight, was hugely popular and had a large following. The network will temporarily replace Carlson with Fox News Tonight, featuring various Fox News personalities, until a new host is selected.