Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch reportedly pushed for host Tucker Carlson’s firing.
The decision to oust Carlson came from the Fox News chairman, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Murdoch was reportedly “concerned” over the former Fox News host’s coverage of the Capitol riot on Jan. 6 2021.
The former Fox News host’s departure is allegedly related to a discrimination lawsuit filed last month by former producer Abby Grossberg. Carlson’s senior executive producer Justin Wells has also been let go though Fox News representatives did not further comment, the outlet reported.
Grossberg, who worked on Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo, claimed she was bullied and subjected to antisemitic comments after being placed on Tucker Carlson Tonight.
Carlson previously reported on the Capitol riot noting Ray Epps, who was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6 2021, may be a government informant.
Epps has since claimed he has been scrutinized and received death threats following Carlson’s reporting. The FBI reportedly told 60 Minutes Epps has never worked for the agency, per the Los Angeles Times.
NEWS
Rupert Murdoch made the decision to fire Tucker Carlson.
Murdoch is said to be concerned over Carlson's coverage of January 6 including conspiracy theories about government agents being involved.@SteveBattaglio scoopshttps://t.co/qYJimgcib2
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 24, 2023
On Monday, Fox News revealed the outlet and Carlson had “agreed to part ways.”
“We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor,” read Fox News’ statement of Carlson’s departure.
Carlson’s departure follows Fox News’ $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, who claimed the media outlet spread incendiary claims about their voting machines and role in the 2020 presidential election. However, the lawsuit was not noted as a reason for Carlson’s departure.
Tucker Carlson Tonight premiered in November 2016 and assumed the 9 p.m. EST time slot following Megyn Kelly’s departure from Fox News in 2017.
In 2000, Carlson co-hosted The Spin Room on CNN and was later appointed to co-host Crossfire. After a short stint with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Carlson joined MSNBC between 2005 and 2008. The former Fox News host subsequently joined the outlet as a contributor in 2009 and served until his Monday departure.
The former Fox News host has not commented on his departure from the outlet as of Monday afternoon.
