After being fired from his show at Fox News Channel, former host Tucker Carlson is more popular than the network that fired him.
According to a Rasmussen Reports survey, Carlson’s favorable ratings are higher than Fox News’s, especially among conservative and Republican voters.
The survey found that 59% of U.S. voters have a favorable impression of Carlson, including 36% who said they have a “Very Favorable” opinion of him. Nearly 35% of voters have an unfavorable view of Carlson, including 25% who hold a “Very Unfavorable” impression.
Among Republicans and independents, Carlson’s firing could hurt Fox. Nearly 50% of Republicans said the move would make Fox worse, with 32% of independents agreeing.
It is unknown what Carlson will do after his ouster at Fox News, but he is expected to create an online channel, according to the Washington Examiner.
Hours after his firing, Carlson posted a video on Twitter that received more views than Fox News’s temporary replacement for him, Brian Kilmeade.
Good evening pic.twitter.com/SPrsYKWKCE
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) April 27, 2023
“Not surprisingly, Carlson is most popular among Republican voters and self-identified conservatives. Carlson is viewed at least somewhat favorably by 71% of Republicans, 48% of Democrats, and 55% of voters not affiliated with either major party,” Rasmussen said.
“Fifty-five percent (55%) of conservatives have a very favorable impression of Carlson, but only 18% of liberal and moderate voters share that opinion. Forty-eight percent (48%) of liberals have a very unfavorable view of Carlson,” it added.
According to the survey, Fox News received only a 28% favorable rating from female voters and 19% of male voters in the U.S., while 36% of both male and female voters hold a very favorable impression of Carlson.
The outlet is viewed at least “somewhat favorably” by 52% of Whites and 50% of Black voters and other minorities. Most Black voters said Carlson’s firing would make Fox News worse.
The survey shows that voters under 40 years old are likelier than their elders to believe that Carlson’s departure would benefit Fox News.
The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported that Carlson’s firing came after executives revealed text messages, including one where Carlson called a top Fox executive a c—. Fox Management was also concerned that Carlson acted “above” the network.
