Tucker Carlson Is Leaving Fox News. Where Is He Going Next?
FOX News Media released a statement on Monday announcing that the network and its biggest star, 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," the press release continued. "Mr. Carlson's last program was Friday April 21st." By the looks of his final show last week, Carlson did not have any indication that he'd be out of the chair a few days later. Media reporter Brian Stelter, a longtime foe of Fox News and its primetime stars, suggests it is telling that Carlson was not offered the chance to host a final show where he could sign off on his own terms and, perhaps, give his fans an indication of where he intends to go next.
Where that might be is anyone's guess, but if the last few years are anything to go on, Tucker Carlson will not be transitioning into a role where he does much good for the social fabric of the United States of America. Will he start a new media operation, and will it have anything in common with his previous effort at The Daily Caller? Will he find another TV gig—and whom, outside Newsmax and the other networks even farther off the right-wing cliff than Fox News, would have him? Will he join the United Nations' efforts to help climate refugees?
It seems just as likely that he goes directly into politics. What many in the commentariat—conservative and otherwise—have failed to grasp about Donald Trump's appeal is the showman's aspect. Maybe the story of Ronald DeSantis will hip a few more observers to the notion that in order to succeed in today's Republican Party, you need to be able to put on a proper show—and do it on TV. The Florida governor is whiny and vicious like Trump, but he isn't funny or entertaining in a way that captures public and media attention nearly so effectively. (Plus, he's established a national brand of Guy Who Hates Disney World.) There's only one Trump, but among the lovely folks vying for power in conservative America, few understand television as a medium as well as Tucker Carlson. If you're enjoying the news today, you ought to fear what it might be tomorrow.
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