OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Chris Wallace has left Fox News and, with lightning speed, announced his new destination, but some have speculated that primetime host Tucker Carlson could be responsible for his exit.
On Sunday, Wallace announced that he was leaving Fox News.
“After 18 years — this is my final FOX News Sunday. It is the last time — and I say this with real sadness — we will meet like this,” the host said.
“Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise. I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account. It’s been a great ride,” he said.
“We’ve covered five presidential elections, interviewed every president since George H.W. Bush, traveled the world — sitting down with France’s Emanuel Macron and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. And I’ve gotten to spend Sunday mornings with you. It may sound corny, but I feel we’ve built a community here,” the 74-year-old said.
“There’s a lot you can do on Sundays. The fact you’ve chosen to spend this hour with us is something I cherish. But after 18 years, I have decided to leave Fox. I want to try something new, to go beyond politics to all the things I’m interested in,” said the host, going on to suggest that he will be taking on new projects, though he did not elaborate,” he said.
“I’m ready for a new adventure. And I hope you’ll check it out. And so —for the last time, dear friends — that’s it for today. Have a great week. And I hope you’ll keep watching FOX News Sunday,” the host said.
In a press release of its own, Fox News addressed the departure.
“We are extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years. The legacy of FOX News Sunday will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named,” it said.
But within an hour of that announcement came one from rival network CNN with news that he had joined its team.
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape — and finding new ways to tell stories,” the now former Fox News anchor said.
But CNN left a nugget that could be a clue as to why Wallace decided not to renew his Fox News contract.
“Fox News’ top host, Tucker Carlson, has drawn extraordinary criticism for producing a special entertaining the false notion that the January 6 attack on the Capitol was a “false flag” orchestrated by the federal government. Carlson has also trafficked in anti-vaccine rhetoric and pushed the racist “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory on his show,” CNN said.
“Wallace, who often found himself rebutting some of the falsehoods pushed by his own network, had reportedly objected to Carlson’s conspiratorial January 6 special. NPR reported that he had voiced objection to network brass about the program, which also led to the resignation of two longtime Fox News commentators,” it said.
This does not make it a guarantee that this was the reason Wallace left Fox News to join CNN but this happened just weeks before he announced he was switching networks.
NPR reported in November that both Bret Baier and Wallace raised their concerns about the series to network leaders, which included Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and news division president, Jay Wallace.
