Tucker Carlson suddenly leaves Fox News

Fox News abruptly announced on Monday that host Tucker Carlson is leaving the media company, just hours after continuing to preview his evening show.

"FOX News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways," Fox News said in a statement. "We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor."

Carlson’s last program was Friday. "Fox News Tonight" will air at 8 p.m. EST — previously the slot for "Tucker Carlson Tonight" — starting Monday as an "interim show helmed by rotating FOX News personalities until a new host is named."

Carlson was one of the most-watched hosts on the cable news network, with an average audience of 3.2 million viewers.

The announcement came the week after Fox News settled Dominion Voting Systems’ defamation lawsuit for $787.5 million.

Last month, the White House joined in widespread condemnation of the Fox News star, singling him out for his misleading portrayal of the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The revelations were made public as part of a $1.6 billion lawsuit brought against Fox by Dominion Voting Systems.

On Monday, Fox News was still previewing Tucker Carlson's show, teasing an interview with presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy that would air Monday night.

Carlson first joined Fox News as a contributor in 2009, and in 2017, Carlson took over the network’s 8 p.m. hour after Bill O’Reilly was forced out.

Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner addressed Tucker Carlson's departure Monday by stating, "We have some news from within our Fox family. Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have mutually agreed to part ways.”