Fox News said Monday it is parting ways with late-brand anchor Tucker Carlson, the network’s most popular prime-time host and a leading voice in the modern conservative movement.
The network broke the stunning news a few days after agreed to pay nearly $800 million to Dominion Voting Systems to avoid a high-stakes libel lawsuit that had cast a shadow over the network’s future.
“FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” the company said in a short press release. “Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday, April 21.”
Fox News did not say why Carlson is leaving the network, and a spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an email from NBC News. The network’s statement did not include any comment from Carlson.
“Tucker Carlson Tonight,” a cornerstone of Fox News programming since 2016, was one of the most-watched cable news shows, surpassing rivals CNN and MSNBC.
Carlson has established himself as one of the most influential figures in a conservative political coalition reshaped by former President Donald Trump. He has regularly drawn controversy for inflammatory statements about race, LGBTQ rights and other topics.
Prior to the Dominion trial, Carlson’s internal communications were released and showed him criticize trump and acknowledging that his claims regarding voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election were baseless.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
Jason Abbruzzese contributed.