Tucker Carlson: A Year After His Exit From Fox News And His Journey Into New Media

It has officially been one year since Tucker Carlson's dismissal from Fox News, and a full 12 months since he embarked on a decidedly unpredictable ride that has seen him plant roots in nontraditional media. On April 24, 2023, Carlson, aged 54, left the network effective immediately. His final show had aired three days earlier, marking the end of his six-year reign as Fox News' ratings juggernaut. Carlson had been elevated to primetime in 2017, following the inauguration of former President Donald Trump.

"Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways," Fox News stated regarding the former host of Tucker Carlson Tonight. The network thanked him for his service both as a host and prior contributor. Following his exit, tension brewed over the circumstances leading to his departure, with Carlson claiming he was informed of his exit only 10 minutes before the official announcement. This tumultuous time coincided with Fox News settling a significant defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. The lawsuit stemmed from false claims made by Fox News anchors and guests, alleging Dominion's involvement in election fraud during the 2020 presidential election.

This unexpected exit was believed to be triggered in part by a controversial text Carlson sent to a producer about an incident involving an "Antifa kid" being attacked by supporters of Trump. He reportedly expressed that the violence was "not how white men fight," then found himself rooting for the mob and wishing harm upon the individual involved, which was discovered during the legal tussle with Dominion.

Following Carlson's departure, Fox News saw a dramatic drop in viewership, losing half of the audience in his timeslot, plummeting from over 3 million to just 1.3 million the week after his exit. Carlson, who had been celebrated as the highest-rated cable news host within the critical demographic of viewers aged 25 to 54, faced backlash from a significant portion of his supporters, many of whom announced they would boycott Fox News, believing their favored host had been unjustly treated.

Despite the shake-up, Fox News reported that ratings rebounded after Jesse Watters took over Carlson's slot, averaging 3 million viewers once again. The landscape had shifted for Carlson, who began to explore new avenues for his brand.

Background and Early Life

New Beginnings: Transition to New Media

Weeks after his exit from Fox News, Carlson announced his transition to an online format, launching his show on X, formerly known as Twitter. In his announcement, he emphasized that free speech was becoming increasingly scarce on social media platforms, declaring Twitter as the last significant platform for open dialogue.

He stated, "Twitter has long served as the place where our national conversation incubates and develops. Twitter is not a partisan site. Everybody is allowed here. And we think that’s a good thing." This marked a pivotal moment for Carlson, who aimed to reshape his approach to engaging with his audience.

On June 6, the show Tucker on Twitter (later renamed Tucker on X) debuted, allowing him to interview high-profile figures, including former President Trump. This move indicated a newfound freedom for Carlson, shedding the constraints of traditional television networks and embracing the flexibility of digital platforms.

Despite initial challenges, Carlson successfully navigated his career trajectory post-Fox, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. According to Evan Nierman, CEO of Red Banyan, Carlson's ability to pivot effectively while maintaining his established brand has allowed him to retain a substantial following.

A New Era in Broadcasting

With the launch of his online platform, Carlson was able to reach audiences beyond the conventional cable news view