Tucker Carlson’s last show on Fox News was Friday, where he signed off telling the audience, “We’ll be back on Monday.”

Fox News announced Tucker Carlson hosted his final show on Friday, noting the two sides “have agreed to part ways.”Read moreChip Somodevilla / MCT

Fox News and its most popular host, Tucker Carlson, have parted ways, the network said Monday in a surprise announcement.

“Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor,” Fox News said in a statement.

Carlson’s last show was Friday, April 21. Fox News Tonight will be hosted by a rotating cast of network personalities, starting with Brian Kilmeade, until a replacement is named.

Carlson could not be reached for comment.

It’s unclear what led to the sudden separation between the nation’s most-watched cable news network and its most popular opinion host. Carlson hosted his show Friday, signing off by saying, “We’ll be back on Monday. In the meantime, have the best weekend with the ones that you love. We’ll see you then.”

Carlson first joined Fox News as a contributor in 2009 after previously serving as a political commentator on CNN, PBS, and MSNBC. In 2017, Carlson took over the network’s 8 p.m. hour after Bill O’Reilly was forced out after The New York Times revealed he paid millions to several former Fox News personalities to settle claims of sexual and verbal harassment.

Carlson’s departure comes a week after Fox News agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a lawsuit over false claims hosts and personalities at the network promoted following the 2020 presidential election. Fox News also faces a $2.7 billion defamation case from election company Smartmatic.

Former Fox News producer Abby Grossberg is suing the network and Carlson, claiming among other things that she faced sexism and misogyny while a producer on Carlson’s show. In one example, Grossberg claimed on her first day working for the show, she was greeted by large photographs of “Nancy Pelosi in a plunging bathing suit revealing her cleavage.” She also claimed misogynistic views of women were widely and openly shared by the show’s staff using graphic language.

Fox News has denied those allegations.

Reacting to the news of Carlson’s sudden departure from the network, Grossberg called it a “big win” for cable news.

“This is a step towards accountability for the election lies and baseless conspiracy theories spread by Fox News, something I witnessed firsthand at the network, as well as for the abuse and harassment I endured” while working on Carlson’s show, Grossberg said in a statement. “This is some justice for the American people and for Fox News viewers who’ve been manipulated and lied to for years, all in an attempt to boost the channel’s ratings and revenue.”

While Dominion’s lawsuit focused more on lies about the election being promoted by other Fox News hosts, embarrassing messages between Carlson and an unnamed Fox News employee released during the discovery phase revealed anger and distain about former President Donald Trump.

In one message, Carlson wrote of Trump, “I hate him passionately.” In another, he signaled relief at “being able to ignore Trump most nights.”

But he was also highly critical of management at Fox News following the election after ratings dipped and viewers looked to other right-wing news outlets promoting Trump’s election lies, such as Newsmax.

“Do the executives understand how much credibility and trust we’ve lost with our audience?” Carlson wrote a producer the day after Fox called the election for Joe Biden, citing Newsmax as an alternative.

Last year, Carlson signed a multiyear deal that expanded his role at Fox News to include hosting a weekly podcast and producing monthly specials for Fox Nation, the network’s streaming service. The news of his sudden departure shocked the media world both inside and outside of Fox News, with one on-air personality telling the Washington Post, “It sends a message that even the guy with the highest ratings of all, by a long shot, doesn’t get to survive this disaster.”

“When CNN ended Reliable Sources, I was offered a final episode, a chance to sign off on my own terms. I really appreciated that. I think viewers did too,” former CNN host Brian Stelter wrote on Twitter. “Tucker leaving Fox WITHOUT even saying goodbye? Stunning.”

Carlson isn’t the only cable news star to be out of a job. Don Lemon also announced on Monday he had been fired by CNN after spending the last 17 years as an anchor and reporter.

It also isn’t just Carlson who is departing Fox News. Justin Wells, Carlson’s executive producer, is also out at the network after 15 years, according to multiple reports. Wells is also named in Grossberg’s lawsuit.

Tucker Carlson Makes First On-Camera Appearance Since Fox News Dismissal

Tucker Carlson, the former primetime host of Fox News, has made his first on-camera appearance since his abrupt departure from the network. In a video posted on Twitter, which quickly gained nearly 20 million views, Carlson shared his thoughts on the state of political debates in the media. However, he notably refrained from mentioning Fox News or the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

Fallout from Fox News Exit

Carlson’s departure from Fox News came as a shock to many, as he was one of the network’s highest-rated hosts. While Fox News has not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal, reports suggest that internal concerns over offensive messages Carlson allegedly sent played a role in the decision. According to The New York Times, top executives and board members at Fox News became aware of these messages the night before the network reached an $800 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over a defamation lawsuit. This discovery reportedly triggered a crisis that contributed to the decision to part ways with Carlson.

Impact on Fox News Viewership

In the wake of Carlson’s departure, Fox News has seen a significant drop in viewership. The 8:00 PM time slot, previously occupied by Carlson, experienced a nearly 50% decline in ratings on the first Tuesday night after his exit. This steep drop highlights the strong following Carlson had built over the years, raising questions about whether Fox News can maintain its dominance in the cable news industry without him.

Carlson’s Influence and Future Prospects

Media analysts believe Carlson has the ability to take a significant portion of his audience to another platform. However, maintaining the same level of influence outside of traditional television may prove to be a challenge. As one analyst noted, television provides a “long tail” on the internet, where clips of popular segments circulate widely. Without the backing of a major network, Carlson may struggle to replicate that level of reach and engagement.

While Carlson’s next move remains uncertain, his loyal fanbase and high-profile status in conservative media suggest that he will not fade from public view. Speculation is already mounting about potential new platforms for him, including independent media ventures, streaming services, or collaborations with digital-first conservative outlets.

The Changing Media Landscape

Carlson’s situation underscores broader shifts in the media landscape, where traditional television dominance is increasingly being challenged by digital platforms. Many prominent figures who have left cable news networks have found success on alternative platforms such as YouTube, podcasting, and social media. If Carlson chooses to leverage these tools effectively, he may be able to sustain, or even grow, his influence in the political media space.

As the dust settles from his departure, all eyes will be on Carlson’s next move and whether he can reshape his career in a rapidly evolving media environment. His first video post-Fox News suggests he is not retreating from the public sphere, and with a large and dedicated audience, his next step could significantly impact the future of conservative media.