Fox News’ decision to part ways with Tucker Carlson, who had been the highest-rated star on the network, has caused debate among political experts on the impact it could have on Fox News’ role in the conservative movement. There are theories that suggest Carlson may have been let go due to fostering a toxic work environment, vulgar criticisms of Fox management, or because of allegations included in a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former producer on his show.
Carlson’s exit from Fox News marks a dramatic change for the company just days after it agreed to pay $787 million to settle a lawsuit filed due to false claims made on the network about Dominion Voting Systems in the aftermath of the 2020 US Presidential Election.
Carlson joined Fox News in 2009 and took over the network’s coveted 8 p.m. time slot in 2017. He was known for his staunch support of former President Donald Trump and his ability to tap into the anger and racial grievance that motivates the Republican Party’s right-wing base. Carlson was viewed by both critics and far-right supporters as serving as a kind of pipeline for extremist conspiracies to move from fringe online forums into mainstream political discourse.
