Tucker Carlson appeared to be unaware he would be parting ways with Fox News during his last show on Friday.
In case you missed it, Fox announced yesterday (24 April) that Carlson would no longer be working at the network effective immediately.
In a statement announcing his departure, Fox News thanked Carlson for his contribution to the network but did not disclose why this decision had been made.
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The statement read: “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.”
It continued, announcing that Carlson had already completed his last show on Friday.
Fox said: "Mr. Carlson’s last program was Friday April 21st. Fox News Tonight will air live at 8pm/ET starting this evening as an interim show helmed by rotating Fox News personalities until a new host is named.”
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The announcement came just one week after Fox News settled a defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, over claims the network made about the company during the 2020 presidential election.
In its lawsuit, Dominion argued that its business had been negatively impacted after the network spread false claims that its machines were rigged against Republican candidate Donald Trump.
The divisive primetime star was Fox News' top-rated host, with more than three million viewers tuning in on an average night.
And during what would turn out to be his last episode of the show on Friday, Carlson could be seen tucking into a sausage pineapple on it - something his guest Tyler Morell called a ‘criminal’ combination of toppings.
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Ending the show, Carlson said: "That's it for us for the week; we'll be back.”
His final words before the show finished were: "We'll be back on Monday. In the meantime, have the best weekend with the ones that you love, and we'll see you then."
But of course, he wasn’t back on Monday.
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Instead, guest host Brian Kilmeade stepped into the role who told viewers: "As you probably have heard, Fox News and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. I wish Tucker the best. I'm great friends with Tucker and always will be."
Carlson is yet to comment on the situation but he has removed any mention of Fox from his Twitter bio.
Carlson’s departure from Fox has prompted its share price to take a tumble with Market Insider saying Fox Corporation’s stock fell five percent, knocking $962 million off its market value.
Topics: US News, Film and TV
Claire Reid