Story by News Editor Ellie Youngs

On Monday, April 24, 2023, Fox News dismissed Tucker Carlson, their most prominent and outspoken host. This decision was made on Friday, April 21 by Lachlan Murdoch, chief executive of Fox Corporation. 

Carlson was dismissed partially due him being exposed as a part of a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. Carlson has been accused of bullying and disparaging colleagues and news sources with profanity and sexist and insensitive language. In addition to his offensive interactions with coworkers, Carlson was also called out for firing reporters whose opinions did not align with his own, or whose coverage he disliked. He has been condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike for releasing a dishonest account of the insurrection of the United States Capitol building on January 6, 2021 as well. 

On the same day, CNN announced that they will be parting ways with one of their most popular, and most senior hosts, Don Lemon. Lemon had been a reporter and host for CNN for 17 years, and according to his statements on Twitter, this departure was unexpected. His contract with CNN is set to last through 2026, and because of this, Lemon has retained Hollywood litigator, Brian Freedman, who is known for his aggressive reputation, to handle this exit. 

In February 2023, Lemon began to lose support within the workplace because of his lewd and insensitive remarks about women. Lemon commented that Nikki Haley, the 51 year-old presidential candidate, “isn’t in her prime” and then added that “a woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.” After multiple objections to these comments from his female coworkers, Lemon responded by saying “I’m just saying what the facts are — Google it.” He later apologized to the CNN newsroom and agreed to take part in a corporate training to address his behavior on the air. There was hope that Lemon and his coworkers would be able to move on after this incident, however it was concluded later that Lemon’s career at CNN had become indefensible.