Fox News and Tucker Carlson, its popular and controversial prime-time host, have agreed to part ways, just less than a week after the network settled a lawsuit over its 2020 election reporting. The settlement came as a trial was set to begin, which could have put the network in the crosshairs over its coverage of false vote-rigging claims in the 2020 U.S. election. Carlson had been expected to testify in the Dominion trial, which alleged that statements made on his show after the 2020 election were defamatory and that messages between Carlson and his team were proof that he and his team knew the falsehood of claims that Denver-based Dominion’s ballot-counting machines were used to manipulate the election in favor of Democrat Joe Biden.
The agreement means that Carlson’s last program on Fox News was on Friday, and the network has announced that “Fox News Tonight” will air live at 8 p.m. EST starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating Fox News personalities until a new host is named. The company did not provide further details on the departure, but the settlement of the lawsuit suggests that the decision was likely connected to the ongoing legal issues.
The settlement and Carlson’s departure come at a sensitive time for the network, as questions about its coverage of the 2020 election are still being raised. Fox News has faced criticism for its reporting on the election, which was criticized for being misleading and perpetuating false claims. The lawsuit brought by Dominion, a company that supplies voting machines, was just one of several legal actions taken against the network over its coverage of the election.
Despite the controversy, Carlson has remained a popular figure within the network, and his departure is likely to be felt by fans of his show. The network has announced that it will continue to air his program in reruns, but the move is seen as a major shake-up for the network. The agreement also raises questions about the future of Fox News, which has faced criticism for its coverage of the election and its relationship with its hosts.
Tucker Carlson (Via Tucker Carlson/Twitter)
In the wake of the settlement and Carlson’s departure, attention is now focused on the network’s plans for its prime-time lineup. The interim show, “Fox News Tonight,” is expected to feature rotating personalities and may serve as a temporary solution until a new host is named. However, the move is seen as a significant change for the network, and it remains to be seen how viewers will react to the changes.
One thing is certain: the departure of Tucker Carlson marks the end of an era for Fox News. The network has faced criticism for its coverage of the 2020 election, and the settlement and agreement are seen as a major departure from its past programming. As the network looks to the future, it is likely to face continued scrutiny and criticism over its coverage of the election.
