Fox News made the shocking decision to part ways with its star host Tucker Carlson on Monday, and if the initial reaction to the news is indicative of what is to come, the network made a mistake.
We don’t yet know the rationale for the split, which Fox News host Harris Faulkner said was mutual in the first on-air mention of the news — and other outlets reported was not.
In a vague statement, Fox News said, “Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways.”
It concluded, “We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.”
Carlson will not have the opportunity to say goodbye to the millions of people who tuned in to his show regularly. Friday’s edition of “Tucker Carlson Tonight” was its last.
As of early Monday afternoon, Carlson had not yet commented on his split from Fox News after almost a decade-and-a-half — or what might be next for him.
Meanwhile, the network was tweeting Monday as if all was well and the highest-rated host in all of cable news hadn’t just been dropped.
Fox News also dunked on CNN’s Don Lemon, who was dismissed Monday by the liberal network.
LEMON DROP: See the embattled anchor’s scathing message about the surprise firing. https://t.co/k1IB4zFdNi pic.twitter.com/PdlNIEZHXS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 24, 2023
While the network was dropping puns about Lemon’s well-earned termination, Carlson’s fans and other observers unleashed an unrelenting wave of attacks against Fox News.
Many made dire predictions about the fate they believe lingers around the corner for cable’s most-watched network:
Bye bye ratings ?♂️
— Maddone (@Maddone123) April 24, 2023
Your stock, and the ratio on this post says it all! Bye bye Fox!
— TexanQueenBee? (@TexanQueenB) April 24, 2023
Breaking: Fox News is dead
— Stevie Stacks ????? (@StevieStacks84) April 24, 2023
There’s no reason to watch Fox if Tucker is gone!
— Julia ?? (@Jules31415) April 24, 2023
IT’S. OVER. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/HTBkLKxcDp
— The Patriot Voice (@TPV_John) April 24, 2023
Good luck Fox. Your ratings should match CNN soon.
— jennay (@jennay58210) April 24, 2023
“I think it changes things permanently.”@DonaldJTrumpJr joins @charliekirk11 with his reaction to Tucker Carlson leaving Fox News.
Watch LIVE➡ https://t.co/aeKhZCut0M
Watch more from #TheCharlieKirkShow here: https://t.co/0vTH11eTQG pic.twitter.com/Gf41cHB3qv
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) April 24, 2023
Tucker Carlson will be fine. Fox News will not be fine. That’s the difference. Fox needed Tucker more than he needed Fox.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 24, 2023
Well, Fox Nation is about to do a CNN+
— AppSame (@AppSame) April 24, 2023
I am positively shocked regarding Tucker Carlson. Greatest talent at Fox News.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 24, 2023
BREAKING: Tucker Carlson is leaving Fox News
I hope his next gig is a $100+ million deal with Spotify or Rumble
He is a fearless warrior for truth and has one of the biggest audiences in America
This isn’t the end of Tucker
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) April 24, 2023
BREAKING
Tucker Carlson is leaving FOX
FNC is done.
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) April 24, 2023
In addition to the wave of anti-Fox News sentiment on social media, there were immediate financial ramifications to the network’s decision to move on from Carlson.
Fox News’ parent company, Fox Corp., saw its stock tumble more than 5 percent at one point Monday morning in the immediate aftermath of the news.
[firefly_poll]
Many more bad days might lie ahead for Fox News.
The network has split with two popular hosts in a period of less than a week in Carlson and Dan Bongino. The latter announced Thursday he and Fox News were unable to come to terms on a new contract extension.
Meanwhile, former House Speaker Paul Ryan — who alienated many on the right — still sits on the company’s board of directors and has so since 2019.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.