Fox News fired Tucker Carlson in April 2023 primarily due to escalating internal concerns over his extreme off-air beliefs, controversial rhetoric, and the risk he posed to the network's reputation and legal standing. His promotion of provocative content like conspiracy theories (including the "great replacement theory") and racially charged statements, revealed through private messages during the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit, alarmed Fox executives. The final decision to fire him was influenced by a troubling text from Carlson containing racially insensitive remarks, which Fox's board feared could cause irreparable harm during the lawsuit trial. Additionally, the firing was related to a discrimination lawsuit filed by Abby Grossberg, a former producer on Carlson's show, who alleged bullying and antisemitic comments. Carlson's behavior, growing controversies, and the network's desire to distance itself from these issues—especially shortly after settling a $787.5 million defamation lawsuit with Dominion—led Fox under Lachlan Murdoch's leadership to conclude that Carlson had become more of a liability than an asset. His departure was a strategic move to protect Fox News' future and move away from extreme right-wing conspiracy theories that endangered the network's credibility and legal exposure.