Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News in April 2023 due to multiple escalating concerns. Key reasons included his growing influence combined with the discovery of his extreme off-air views, which echoed controversial and racially charged rhetoric from his show. Private messages revealed during a lawsuit indicated he genuinely held these beliefs, alarming Fox executives who feared the network's reputation and legal standing could be severely damaged. Additionally, a troubling text message from Carlson just before a high-profile lawsuit trial containing racially insensitive remarks was a tipping point for management. Fox News' leadership, including Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch, saw Carlson's behavior as increasingly erratic and damaging, ultimately viewing him as more of a liability than an asset despite his audience size. The firing also followed a $787.5 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, though the dismissal was not directly tied to that settlement. Furthermore, Carlson's involvement in controversies including a discrimination lawsuit by a former producer and his coverage of the January 6 Capitol attack played a role in the decision. Carlson was also reportedly perceived as acting arrogantly and as if he was bigger than the network itself. In summary, Tucker Carlson was fired primarily because his off-camera behavior and extreme views posed a legal and reputational risk for Fox News, prompting the company's top executives to sever ties for the network's future protection.