Pentagon officials are celebrating the departure of Fox News conservative host Tucker Carlson, according to a report by Politico.
A senior Department of Defense (DOD) official anonymously responded to Carlson’s departure by stating, “We’re a better country without him bagging on our military every night in front of hundreds of thousands of people.” Another DOD official responded, “Good riddance.”
Carlson has been critical for years of the recent decisions made by military officials. He heavily criticized the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, questioned the number of diversity and equity requirements that have been implemented, and characterized military efforts to aid Ukraine as a “war machine.”
In 2021, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby fired back at Carlson’s repeated critiques of the military, stating, “What we absolutely won’t do is take personnel advice from a talk show host.”
When Politico reached out to Carlson and expressed the fact that several Pentagon officials were celebrating his departure from Fox News, Carlson responded by saying, “Ha! I’m sure,” and declined to comment.
The senior official that spoke to Politico explained that Carlson “repeatedly cherry-picked department policies and used them to destroy DOD as an institution.” He also stated that Carlson “made a mockery” of the free press.
The announcement by Fox News to part ways with Tucker Carlson surprised conservatives and liberals alike. It is unclear at this time where Carlson will continue his broadcasting career. Fox News has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Carlson.
Since Carlson’s departure, viewship has dropped by 21 percent, and Fox News Tonight garnered 700,000 fewer viewers than Tucker Carlson Tonight averaged.
