Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launched his most direct attack yet on his former employer during a recent podcast appearance, claiming the network’s coverage of Middle East conflicts contributed to his physical deterioration and describing his role there as being “a semi-witting cog in the propaganda machine.”
Speaking on June 24, 2025, during an episode of The Tucker Carlson Show with fellow former Fox News anchor Clayton Morris, Carlson criticized the network’s coverage of President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran. He indicated this marked the first time he had directly attacked Fox News since his departure over two years ago.
Carlson expressed particular concern about what he characterized as the network’s efforts to frighten elderly viewers into compliance regarding military intervention. He played clips featuring network personalities Sean Hannity, Ted Cruz, Bari Weiss, Lindsey Graham, Kayleigh McEnany and Mark Levin praising Trump’s recent airstrikes against three Iranian nuclear sites.
The former host reserved especially sharp criticism for Mark Levin, a longtime network personality who has recently characterized opponents of U.S. intervention in Iran as “lunatics.” Carlson suggested there had previously been someone at the network who would have challenged such assertions, but noted that person had been terminated.
During the discussion about their experiences working at Fox News, which Morris described as sufficient to cause serious health problems, Carlson revealed the toll his work had taken on his physical condition. Carlson stated: “I just got fat,” adding that the position was incredibly demanding physically and represented the most difficult job he had ever held.
The revelations came amid ongoing tensions within Trump’s administration over foreign policy direction, particularly regarding Middle East interventions. Trump’s airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities have created divisions within his political movement over questions of American interventionism abroad.
In addition to his Fox News criticism, Carlson made explosive claims about approaches from the Murdoch family regarding the 2024 presidential election. He alleged that in May 2023, approximately one month after his termination from Fox News, representatives of the media family asked him to run for president against Trump.
According to Carlson’s account, Lachlan Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and CEO of Fox Corporation, specifically encouraged a presidential campaign and offered support through the family’s media properties. Carlson claimed Murdoch indicated the entire Fox News apparatus would provide backing, along with The Wall Street Journal and other Murdoch-owned publications.
Carlson characterized the Murdoch family as harboring intense dislike for Trump, describing them as having stronger anti-Trump sentiments than virtually anyone else. He indicated he rejected the presidential campaign suggestion, citing both his belief that he would not be elected and his continued support for Trump, despite recent frustrations with the president’s policies.
The former host also directed criticism at Jennifer Griffin, Fox News’ Chief National Security Correspondent, describing her as representing “the deepest of the deep state” and characterizing her coverage as partisan. Carlson revealed he had previously complained to network superiors about Griffin’s reporting, suggesting her coverage was misleading viewers and reflected strong anti-Trump bias.
According to Carlson’s account, when he raised concerns about Griffin’s reporting with Fox News management, he was told that Griffin was essentially untouchable within the organization. Morris noted during their conversation that Griffin maintains an office at the Pentagon, suggesting potential conflicts in her coverage due to her proximity to official sources.
Carlson worked at Fox News for 14 years, including six years hosting his own program, Tucker Carlson Tonight. His departure from the network occurred in April 2023, shortly after Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over claims the network had spread false information about voting machines during the 2020 election coverage.
The podcast appearance came as Trump announced a ceasefire in Middle East hostilities, to which Carlson responded on social media with apparent relief. However, the former host continued his criticism of Fox News coverage, specifically targeting Mark Levin’s pro-intervention stance and suggesting the ceasefire development contradicted what some network personalities had preferred.
Since leaving Fox News, Carlson has launched his own independent media operation and continues to comment on political developments through his podcast and social media presence. His recent criticisms represent his most comprehensive public assessment of his former employer’s editorial direction and internal dynamics.
