‘Wow’ and ‘OMG’: shock after Fox News announces Tucker Carlson departure

Shocked reactions are pouring in across social media on the abrupt departure of Tucker Carlson from Fox News, with the network announcing that the prominent far-right television host is leaving the channel.

Many were surprised by the announcement given the popularity that Carlson enjoyed at Fox as well as the highest-rated host on cable television.

"Wow," tweeted the New York Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who accused Carlson and other Fox pundits of inciting violence during an MSNBC interview that aired on Sunday.

Some remained skeptical that Carlson's departure from Fox would be the end of his career despite critics who called out his show as racist and inaccurate.

"I'd like to think Tucker Carlson's departure is the end of an era, but I'm quite certain it's the beginning of his political career," the founder of gun control advocacy group Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts, tweeted.

Several conservative pundits took to social media to express their displeasure at the announcement.

"I STAND WITH TUCKER CARLSON!"," the far-right Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert tweeted.

Donald Trump Jr, the son of former president Donald Trump, tweeted his reaction to Carlson's departure news. The tweet read, "Confirmed: Tucker Carlson out at Fox News. OMG."

Carlson's departure from Fox has already been acknowledged on air by the network.

Shortly after the news broke, the Fox anchor Harris Faulkner shared the channel's statement, adding: "We want to thank Tucker Carlson for his service to the network as a host, and prior to that, as a long-term contributor."

In a statement published early on Monday, Fox News announced that Carlson and the network agreed to part ways and that his last show was last Friday.

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

It appears that many at Fox - including Carlson himself - had no inclination that Friday would be his last show.

Fox was still previewing Carlson's show Monday morning, with the network teasing an interview between the departed host and Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and 2024 US presidential candidate.

For what will be his last show with Fox, Carlson hosted Tyler Morrell from Cocco's Pizza in Pennsylvania for his show last Friday. Morrell went viral after doorbell camera video showed him helping police catch a suspected car thief while on a delivery.

While chowing down on pizza pies delivered to him by Morrell, Carlson wished viewers a happy weekend before signing off.

"We'll be back on Monday," Carlson said.