Tucker Carlson is leaving Fox — will veiled antisemitism and the Great Replacement Theory go with him?
The news host is famous for promoting conspiracy theories and antisemitic dogwhistles on his primetime show.
Fox’s statement also noted that Carlson’s last show was the previous Friday, indicating that he would not be given any opportunity to explain, wish his devoted viewers goodbye or announce his next role. The decision appears sudden, given that Carlson signed off his Friday program with “see you Monday.” Fox was apparently still airing teasers for Carlson’s show as recently as Monday morning.
He also frequently alluded to the great replacement theory, a conspiracy that Jews or other racial minorities are attempting to exterminate or replace white people, though Carlson’s references to it were always just veiled enough to maintain plausible deniability against accusations of racism or antisemitism. Dog whistles were frequently employed on his show; he repeatedly vilified George Soros while lauding the nationalist and antisemitic leadership of Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban.
Perhaps showing Carlson’s conspiratorial influence on his viewers, some of his supporters are claiming that Fox is controlled by the “liberal elite” and implying that the news host is being punished for his work at exposing the “Deep State,” a conspiracy associated with QAnon that a secret, elite cabal controls the world.
For those who have watched Carlson’s rhetoric with growing concern, it is easy to feel relieved at the idea that the erstwhile host has lost his platform. But it is unlikely that Carlson will disappear for long. And whatever his next platform will be, he could potentially continue to shape U.S. politics.
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