Fox News Channel shocked the industry Monday by terminating Tucker Carlson, primetime cable’s most-watched talk show host. Earlier this month, the network also dismissed the weekend host Dan Bongino, reportedly due to an impasse during contract renegotiation.
Now, industry insiders are speculating about the reason for Carlson’s termination… and Carlson himself is talking.
Carlson spoke out to his former co-workers, according to one insider’s remark to Vanity Fair, and said his termination may be connected to a possible attempt to sell the network.
Vanity Fair reported Monday —
According to a source briefed on the conversation, Carlson was stunned by his sudden ouster from his 8 p.m. show, the most watched program in cable news last month. Carlson was in the midst of negotiating the renewal of his Fox News contract through 2029, the source said. As of last week, Carlson had told people he expected the contract to be renewed.
Carlson has told people he doesn’t know why he was terminated. According to the source, Scott refused to tell him how the decision was made; she only said that it was made “from above.” Carlson has told people he believes his controversial show is being taken off the air because the Murdoch children intend to sell Fox News at some point.
The Vanity Fair report comes with some limits. For one thing, the magazine cited a just single, anonymous source. Also, the outlet wasn’t able to obtain any direct confirmation from Carlson himself.
Still, the first report on what Carlson may be thinking about his shocking dismissal is noteworthy for industry observers. Meanwhile, other insiders have given different theories about the reason for Carlson’s departure.
A second source told The Washington Post that Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch fired Carlson for his insubordinate comments revealed during a recent lawsuit. Plus, other sources have told the Los Angeles Times that Murdoch fired Carlson for being the subject of a discrimination lawsuit.
The Horn editorial team