Fox News announces its parting of ways with Tucker Carlson, one of its most polarizing figures. The decision surprised former President Donald Trump and his orbit, including close friend and Fox News' commentator, Donald Trump Jr. Carlson has been at the center of many controversies, including making inflammatory remarks deemed to be racist and spreading disinformation. Advertisers boycotted his show, and he cried foul claiming that his First Amendment rights were being violated. Carlson continued to push the outrage button and even took his show to Hungary earlier in 2021 to speak to Viktor Orban, who he celebrated for being a strong and successful leader compared to Joe Biden, whom he described as weak and ineffectual on immigration. Carlson was infamous for using videotapes supplied by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to create a false counter-narrative to the insurrection of January 6th.

The Dominion lawsuit and the pending defamation actions appear to have taken their toll on Fox, given the reported settlement figures, making it hard to imagine that Fox would go for someone even more controversial than Carlson. The withdrawal of Carlson is likely to lead to less divisive, outrageous, and polarizing programming in Fox News in the coming election year.