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Fox News has apparently made another move against former star host Tucker Carlson, albeit in a roundabout way. According to reports on Monday, the network has informed Carlson’s former production staff their services are no longer needed.
The dismissals were first reported by Carlson biographer Chadwick Moore, who noted on Twitter: “Sources have told me Fox News has just terminated the rest of @TuckerCarlson‘s former staff. They want the nine remaining employees to continue working until mid-July.”
The decision was described as “shockingly callous” by one former Fox News producer who spoke to the Daily Caller.
“Some of the producers fired have been at Fox for well over a decade,” the producer added.
The Daily Caller added that a different producer said “Staffers on Carlson’s team were repeatedly told following his departure that their jobs were safe, including as recently as last week when two of Carlson’s producers left the network.
“The remaining staffers were told they could apply for any jobs throughout the company, the former producer told the Daily Caller, noting that employees who once staffed Bill O’Reilly and Dan Bongino’s show were simply reassigned on other shows after both hosts left the network,” the outlet continued.
EXCLUSIVE: Sources have told me Fox News has just terminated the rest of @TuckerCarlson‘s former staff. They want the nine remaining employees to continue working until mid-July.
— Chadwick Moore (@Chadwick_Moore) June 26, 2023
The former producer said that the firings were clearly an “anti-Tucker move to purge any of the remaining stamps he had on the network as Fox begins this new lineup change.”
Fox News announced on April 24 that the popular primetime host Carlson and the network “have agreed to part ways” after more than a decade.
“Carlson’s last program was Friday, April 21st, Fox News said, meaning Carlson did not get a chance to sign off to his viewers. The news comes days after Fox News reached a historic 11th-hour settlement with Dominion Voting Systems for over $787 million,” Axios reported.
“FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor. Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday, April 21st. Fox News Tonight will air live at 8 PM/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named,” Fox News said in a statement.
On Monday, Fox News announced that longtime host Laura Ingraham will soon take over at 7:00 p.m., giving her what many believe to be a better primetime slot.
In a press release, the network revealed that Jesse Watters will take the 8 p.m. slot, directly replacing Carlson. Sean Hannity will stay at 9 p.m. and Greg Gutfeld will move to 10 p.m. Longtime news anchor Trace Gallagher will move up to 11 p.m.
“FOX News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup. The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will ensure our viewers have access to unrivaled coverage from our best-in-class team for years to come,” Scott announced.
Fox News reported: “Ingraham, who is cable news’ highest-rated female host, has welcomed countless notable political figures, including presidents, members of Congress, and key White House officials during her time hosting the show that launched in 2017. The Ingraham Angle was the top-rated 10 p.m. program on cable news since it debuted, and will now air earlier in the evening to kick-start Fox News’ primetime lineup. Ingraham, a former litigator and Supreme Court law clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, joined FNC in 2007 as a contributor.”
