Tucker Carlson has reinvented himself as an independent media mogul two years after being abruptly fired from Fox News, building a YouTube empire with millions of subscribers who follow his unfiltered commentary.

At a Glance

• Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News in April 2023 after hosting one of the network’s highest-rated shows
• Carlson claims he was terminated for saying things Fox executives didn’t like, maintaining he refused to take editorial direction
• Post-Fox, Carlson launched his own media company and YouTube channel, amassing nearly 4 million subscribers
• His departure came shortly after Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million
• Carlson had previously been fired from both CNN and MSNBC before his Fox News tenure

The Unexpected Termination

Two years after his sudden exit from Fox News, Tucker Carlson has offered candid reflections on the April 2023 phone call that ended his prime-time hosting career at the network. The conservative commentator’s show “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” which began in 2017, had consistently been one of Fox’s top-rated programs until its abrupt cancellation. Jesse Watters eventually replaced Carlson in the coveted 8 p.m. Eastern Time slot that had been anchored by one of conservative media’s most recognizable voices.

Carlson’s termination came at a particularly tumultuous time for Fox News. His departure followed just days after the network reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over false election claims that had been aired on various Fox programs. While Fox never publicly detailed the specific reasons for ending their relationship with Carlson, the timing raised questions about potential connections to the Dominion settlement or other controversies surrounding the host.

Standing His Ground

In recent comments about his Fox departure, Carlson has been straightforward about what he believes led to his firing. He maintains the network was uncomfortable with content he wanted to air and his unwillingness to accept editorial direction. The well-known commentator has been candid about his approach to working with network executives throughout his broadcasting career, which has now seen him terminated from three major networks.

Carlson has characterized his relationship with Fox as one where he maintained editorial independence in exchange for delivering strong ratings. When reflecting on his tenure at the network, he noted that he consistently made his position clear regarding editorial control. His principled stance on content independence ultimately proved incompatible with Fox’s management structure, leading to a separation that has redefined his career trajectory.

Reinvention as an Independent Media Force

Rather than retreating from public view after his Fox dismissal, Carlson quickly pivoted to build his own media company. He launched a YouTube channel that has flourished in the absence of corporate oversight, attracting nearly 4 million subscribers. This digital platform has allowed Carlson to conduct lengthy, unfiltered interviews with guests ranging from cryptocurrency entrepreneurs to popular actors, political figures, and cultural commentators.

Carlson’s independent venture has allowed him to continue exploring topics that interest him most, including foreign policy, spiritual matters, outdoor activities, and global power structures. He has also maintained his reputation for controversial commentary without the constraints of network standards and practices departments or advertiser concerns that previously influenced his Fox programming. His entrepreneurial approach has proven that traditional networks are no longer the only viable platform for influential media personalities.

A Unique Information Ecosystem

Perhaps most notably, Carlson has developed an unconventional approach to gathering information. He claims to avoid traditional news sources entirely, including established outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Instead, he relies on a network of direct contacts for information about current events and developing stories. This approach reflects both his distrust of mainstream media narratives and his preference for firsthand sources.

In discussing American foreign policy, Carlson has been particularly critical of what he describes as uninformed and reckless decision-making by government officials. His commentary frequently challenges conventional wisdom on international relations and questions the competence of the foreign policy establishment. This skeptical stance toward institutional expertise aligns with his overall media approach—valuing independence and direct observation over established information channels.