Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News in April 2023 sent shockwaves through the media landscape. As the network’s most-watched primetime host, his sudden dismissal left many wondering: Why Was Tucker Carlson Fired? While initial speculation pointed to various factors, a new book, “Network of Lies” by journalist Brian Stelter, sheds light on the complex web of reasons behind Carlson’s downfall, painting a picture of a figure who became increasingly toxic and ultimately, expendable.
Carlson, known for his right-wing commentary and embrace of conspiracy theories, seemingly believed in his own invincibility. According to Stelter’s book, excerpted by Vanity Fair, Carlson operated under the assumption that his high ratings and influence made him untouchable. He acted as if he could “say anything, do anything, and never be held accountable,” as long as he maintained his audience’s attention. This sense of impunity, however, proved to be his undoing.
The book reveals that Carlson’s escalating “toxicity” played a significant role in his firing. This toxicity manifested in several ways, including the promotion of white supremacist undertones and a pattern of disrespect towards women and minorities. These behaviors, combined with numerous internal and external scandals, ultimately led Lachlan Murdoch, then CEO of Fox Corp, to decide Carlson’s presence was no longer tenable. Stelter emphasizes that it wasn’t one single event, but a culmination of factors that led to Carlson’s dismissal. “It wasn’t one thing. It was everything,” Stelter writes, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the issues surrounding Carlson.
One of the major scandals that Fox News was grappling with during this period was the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit. Dominion sued Fox News for defamation over false claims broadcasted by several Fox personalities, including Carlson, alleging the company rigged the 2020 presidential election. This lawsuit eventually resulted in a hefty $787.5 million settlement for Dominion. While some initially speculated that the Dominion settlement was the direct cause of Carlson’s firing, Stelter’s book refutes this theory.
Stelter, formerly CNN’s chief media correspondent and host of “Reliable Sources,” points out that Fox insiders cited a range of reasons for Carlson’s firing at the time. These reasons included incendiary and racially charged text messages sent by Carlson. It was believed that Dominion’s legal team was prepared to use these texts as evidence in court had the defamation trial proceeded. The existence of these texts further underscores the pattern of problematic behavior that contributed to Fox’s decision.
According to Stelter, Carlson’s growing sense of being untouchable fueled his increasingly extreme views and abrasive conduct. He reportedly “berated Fox News executives” and “belittled people” who criticized him. Within Fox News, Carlson fostered a divisive atmosphere. Stelter writes that Carlson’s production team became fiercely loyal to him, viewing the rest of Fox News as “almost enemy territory” due to the network’s corporate policies promoting diversity and inclusion – values Carlson openly opposed on his program.
The decision to fire Carlson was described as a monumental move, comparable to “somebody canceling Taylor Swift mid-tour.” His perceived indispensability made the firing seem illogical to many, including Carlson himself, who reportedly viewed being fired as “unthinkable.” However, for the Murdoch family, particularly Lachlan Murdoch, the accumulation of Carlson’s controversies and the internal strife he generated reached a breaking point.
Ultimately, Stelter concludes that Carlson’s firing was a classic case of a star rising too high and losing touch with the institution that propelled him to fame. Rupert Murdoch reportedly told a confidant that Carlson “got too big for his boots.” This sentiment encapsulates the core reason for Carlson’s dismissal: he came to believe he was bigger than Fox News itself, a miscalculation that ultimately led to his abrupt exit.
