Tucker Carlson, Is Out at Fox News due to controversies and allegations, well known for his 8 p.m. show "Tucker Carlson Tonight"

 

Fox News announced on Monday that it had dismissed Tucker Carlson, its most popular prime-time host and one of the most influential voices on the American right. Mr Carlson had been embroiled in several scandals related to his conduct on and off the air, including a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems that was settled for $787.5 million last week.

Mr Carlson's departure came as a shock to many people inside Fox News and the larger conservative media world, where he had enjoyed power and prestige as a champion of populist, culture war grievances that resonated with former President Donald J. Trump and his followers. His 8 p.m. show, "Tucker Carlson Tonight," was a must-watch for conservatives during Mr Trump's presidency and beyond.

But Mr Carlson's success could not protect him from a growing list of troubles that had been irritating Lachlan Murdoch, the chief executive of Fox Corporation, and his father, Rupert Murdoch, the founder and chairman of the company, according to two people with knowledge of the company's decision. The Murdochs were concerned about Mr Carlson's reputation as a bully who denigrated colleagues and sources in profane and sexist language, as revealed by a recent deposition in the Dominion lawsuit.

They were also worried about Mr Carlson's increasingly controversial and divisive rhetoric on topics such as immigration, Black civil rights activists, vaccines and national identity, which had alienated some advertisers and viewers and drawn criticism from civil rights groups and lawmakers.

Mr Carlson was informed of his dismissal on Monday morning by Suzanne Scott, chief executive of Fox News Media, another person briefed on the move said. His last program was on Friday, Fox said.

Mr Carlson has yet to respond to a request for comment on Monday.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Fox News thanked Mr Carlson for his contributions to the network and wished him well in his future endeavours.

"Tucker Carlson has been a valued member of our team for many years and we appreciate his hard work and dedication," the statement said. "We respect his decision to pursue other opportunities and we wish him all the best."

The statement did not provide any details on who would replace Mr Carlson in the prime-time lineup or when a new host would be announced.

Mr Carlson's exit leaves a massive void at Fox News, where he was one of the network's biggest stars and most loyal defenders of Mr Trump. His show often drew more than three million viewers a night, making it one of the most-watched programs on cable news.

Mr Carlson also had a loyal following online, where he published a newsletter and a podcast on Fox Nation, the network's streaming service. He also wrote two best-selling books: "Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution" in 201