Tucker Carlson and FOX News “have agreed to part ways,” the network announced on Monday.
“We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor,” a FOX News Media spokesperson said in a statement.
An interim program, “Fox News Tonight,” will air at 8 p.m. ET until a permanent replacement for Carlson is named. “Fox News Tonight” will be hosted by a rotation of various Fox News personalities.
The last edition of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” aired on Friday, April 21. The show began airing in 2016.
Also on Monday, CNN host and frequent Carlson target, Don Lemon, announced on Twitter that he has been terminated by CNN after 17 years with the network.
— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 24, 2023
CNN disputed Lemon’s version of events:
Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
The news follows allegations earlier this month that he mistreated his female colleagues over the course of his career at CNN. Lemon also faced a backlash earlier this year over demeaning comments he made on the low-rated morning program he hosted with two female anchors.
Since it debuted in 2016, “Tucker Carlson Tonight” has been a top rated Fox News program, far outpacing its rivals at CNN and MSNBC. Throughout the years, the host has frequently blasted the corporate media, including sometimes his own network.
Fox News did not specify why Carlson is leaving the network, and the network’s statement did not include any comment from Carlson on the stunning news.
Earlier this month, Carlson said in his opening monologue that these days, “telling the truth is the only real sin.”
Update:
According to independent journalist and author Justin Hart, Carlson was planning to go on the air tonight and talk about the lawsuit. When corporate bigwigs tried to muzzle him, Carlson “up and quit.”
My sources are telling me: Tucker was all set to go live tonight. He probably had plans to talk about the lawsuit and clear his name. Producers were prepping guests and slots of Monday's show. Corporate nixed the idea and Tucker up and quit!
— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) April 24, 2023
Carlson’s last segment at Fox News:
Don Lemon’s statement about this morning’s events is inaccurate. He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) April 24, 2023
Fox Corporation shed $930 million in market value after announcing Carlson left the news network, according to Markets Insider.
Fox Corporation stock fell as much as 5% on Monday and erased $930 million in market value after it was announced that Fox News Media parted ways with host Tucker Carlson.
Shares of the media company recovered slightly and were trading at $29.61, down almost 4% at 12:15 p.m. ET.
People familiar with the situation who were not authorized to comment publicly said the decision to fire Carlson came straight from Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch.
Carlson’s exit is related to the discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, the producer fired by the network last month, the people said. Carlson’s senior executive producer Justin Wells has also been terminated, according to people familiar with the matter. A Fox News representative would not comment.
Deadline DC correspondent Ted Johnson reports that Fox and Friends host Brian Kilmeade will host the first “Fox News Tonight” during Carlson’s former timeslot and his departure from the network will be addressed.
https://twitter.com/tedstew/status/1650595918972854298?s=20
Former President Trump responded to the news of Carlson’s departure on Newsmax, Monday:
TRUMP ON TUCKER CARLSON OUSTER: "I'm shocked — I’m surprised. He’s a very good person and a very good man. […] I think Tucker’s been terrific, especially over the last year or so…"
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 25, 2023
Stay tuned for updates as this is a developing story.