Tucker Carlson
Born 1969 · Age 56
American conservative political commentator, TV host, co-founder of The Daily Caller, longtime Fox News host (Tucker Carlson Tonight) and later independent media host. Influential in right-wing media and politics.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in San Francisco, California
Tucker McNear Carlson born at the Children's Hospital in San Francisco.
Moved to La Jolla, California
When Tucker was in first grade his father moved the family to La Jolla, where he was raised.
Mother left the family and moved to France
Carlson's mother, Lisa McNear Lombardi, left the family when Tucker was six; the brothers never saw her again.
Parents divorced; father granted custody
Carlson's parents divorced after a nine-year marriage; his father Dick Carlson was granted custody of Tucker and his brother.
Father married Patricia Swanson (stepmother adoption)
Dick Carlson married Patricia Caroline Swanson, who later legally adopted Tucker and his brother; Swanson was heir to Swanson family fortune.
Brief enrollment at Collège du Léman (Switzerland)
Carlson was briefly enrolled in a boarding school in Geneva and later said he was 'kicked out.' (date approximate)
Graduated St. George's School (high school)
Attended the private boarding St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island; met future wife Susan Andrews while there.
Graduated Trinity College (B.A., History)
Carlson graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts in history.
Applied to CIA — application denied
After college Carlson sought a job at the CIA but was rejected and turned to journalism at his father's suggestion.
Started in journalism as fact-checker at Policy Review
Began his journalism career fact-checking at Policy Review, a conservative journal published by the Heritage Foundation.
Opinion writer at Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Worked as an opinion writer at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock (approximate date before joining The Weekly Standard).
Joined The Weekly Standard staff
Carlson joined the newly founded conservative magazine The Weekly Standard.
First notable TV appearance (Dan Rather interview)
Made his first TV appearance in 1995 when interviewed by Dan Rather about the O. J. Simpson trial.
Talk magazine interview with Governor George W. Bush
Published a controversial interview quoting Bush that drew publicity during the 2000 presidential campaign.
Co-hosted 'The Spin Room' on CNN
Began television career on CNN as co-host of the short-lived program 'The Spin Room'.
Appointed co-host of CNN's Crossfire
Became a co-host on Crossfire representing the political right; co-hosted the debate program until 2005.
Plane crash in Dubai
Carlson and his father were involved in a plane crash while landing in Dubai (no major injuries reported in text).
Esquire profile nominated for National Magazine Award
His 2003 Esquire profile about a trip to Liberia was nominated at the National Magazine Awards.
Published memoir 'Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites'
Published a memoir about his experiences in cable news in September 2003.
Launched PBS program 'Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered'
PBS launched his program which ran concurrently with Crossfire and was part of an effort to add ideological balance.
Jon Stewart's scathing Crossfire appearance
Jon Stewart publicly criticized Crossfire and singled out Carlson; the appearance is credited with contributing to Crossfire's cancellation.
CNN did not renew Carlson's contract
CNN announced it would end its relationship with Carlson; Crossfire was soon cancelled.
Left PBS show
Carlson announced his departure from his PBS program to focus on a new MSNBC show.
MSNBC program 'Tucker' premiered
His early-evening show 'Tucker' (originally 'The Situation With Tucker Carlson') premiered on MSNBC.
Contestant on Dancing with the Stars (season 3)
Participated in season 3, was the first contestant eliminated; trained intensively for the show.
Stopped wearing bow ties on air
Ended his early-career bow-tie habit he had worn on air until about 2006.
Reported on Virginia Tech and Johnson Space Center shootings
Covered aftermaths for MSNBC.
Cameo in film 'Swing Vote'
Appeared as himself in the 2008 film Swing Vote.
Senior campaign correspondent during 2008 election
Remained with MSNBC as senior campaign correspondent for the 2008 U.S. election.
MSNBC canceled 'Tucker'
MSNBC cancelled the program due to low ratings; final episode aired March 14, 2008.
Hired as Fox News contributor
Fox News announced Carlson would join as a contributor; he appeared on several Fox programs.
Co-founded The Daily Caller
Launched The Daily Caller with Neil Patel; Carlson served as editor-in-chief; funded by conservative donor Foster Friess.
The Daily Caller included in White House rotating press pool
By February 2010 The Daily Caller was included in the White House rotating press pool.
Published JournoList emails via The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller published excerpts of private JournoList emails, a notable scoop and controversy.
Mother Lisa McNear Lombardi died
Carlson's mother died in 2011 in France.
Published investigative series on Media Matters (Daily Caller)
Co-authored a Daily Caller series about Media Matters that drew criticism for sourcing and methodology.
Distributed a 2007 video of Barack Obama
On the eve of the first Obama–Romney debate, Carlson publicized a 2007 recording of Senator Obama criticizing the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
Became co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend
Replaced Dave Briggs as a weekend co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend.
Premiere of 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' on Fox News
Launched Tucker Carlson Tonight; premiere was the network's most-watched telecast of the year in its slot with 3.7 million viewers.
Moved to Megyn Kelly's 9pm time slot
Carlson's show replaced Megyn Kelly in the 9:00 p.m. slot after her departure from Fox News.
Moved to 8pm slot following O'Reilly cancellation
Following cancellation of The O'Reilly Factor, Fox announced Tucker Carlson Tonight would air at 8:00 p.m.
Signed eight-figure, two-book deal with Simon & Schuster
In May 2017 Carlson signed a multiyear, eight-figure two-book deal with Threshold Editions (Simon & Schuster).
Alleged $150,000 payment to The Daily Caller by Trump campaign (reported)
The Center for Media and Democracy reported The Daily Caller was paid $150,000 by Trump's 2016 campaign for a list of subscribers (reporting/controversy).
Advertiser boycotts begin
By the end of 2018 at least 20 advertisers had boycotted Tucker Carlson Tonight after controversial remarks on immigration.
Published 'Ship of Fools' — debuted #1 NYT
Released Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution; debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Protest and vandalism at Carlson's home
Local anti-fascist group protested outside Carlson's D.C. home; driveway vandalized with an anarchist symbol.
Show ratings and advertiser losses in January 2019
Tucker Carlson Tonight dropped to third with 2.8 million nightly viewers and lost at least 26 advertisers.
Media Matters resurfaced offensive radio remarks; calls to fire Carlson
Media Matters released recordings of Carlson's past radio remarks leading to calls for his dismissal; ratings rose 8% that week.
Karen McDougal sued Fox News over Carlson's on-air accusation
Playboy model Karen McDougal sued Fox News after Carlson accused her on air of extorting Donald Trump.
Tucker and Hannity finish 2020 with >4M average viewers
Both shows became first cable news programs to finish a full year with average viewership in excess of four million.
Sold one-third stake in The Daily Caller
In June 2020 Carlson sold his one-third ownership stake in The Daily Caller to co-founder Neil Patel for an undisclosed amount and left the site.
Tucker Carlson Tonight becomes highest-rated cable news show (week of June 8–14)
Averaged about 4.0 million viewers for the week, surpassing Hannity and others.
Blake Neff (head writer) resigned
Carlson's head writer resigned after being exposed for posting racist, sexist and homophobic comments under a pseudonym online.
Judge dismissed Karen McDougal lawsuit
Federal judge Mary Kay Vyskocil dismissed McDougal's suit, agreeing with Fox News' defense that Carlson's statements were opinion-based.
Monthly average peaks at 5.3M viewers
In October 2020 Tucker Carlson Tonight averaged 5.3 million viewers, at that time the highest monthly average for any cable news program.
Became host of Tucker Carlson Today on Fox Nation
Expanded into Fox's streaming service with a show called Tucker Carlson Today in spring 2021.
Show remained most-watched news-related cable program (mid-2021)
Tucker Carlson Tonight remained the most-watched news-related cable show as of mid-2021.
Signed multiyear Fox deal for podcast and specials
Announced a multiyear Fox News deal to host a weekly podcast and monthly specials (Tucker Carlson Originals) for Fox Nation.
Fox Nation special released
First of Carlson's Fox Nation specials released March 29, 2021.
Fox News settled Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit
Fox News settled the Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit (settlement value reported at $787.5 million); Carlson was among hosts named in the litigation.
Biography 'Tucker' by Chadwick Moore published (2023)
A biography written with Carlson's cooperation was released in 2023; it sold just over 3,000 copies in its first week.
Fox News dismissed Tucker Carlson and cancelled his show
On April 24, 2023 Fox News terminated Carlson's contract and canceled Tucker Carlson Tonight; reports attributed decision to Lachlan Murdoch and executive concerns.
Responded to Fox dismissal with viral video tweet
Carlson posted a video on Twitter/X responding to his firing that was viewed millions of times.
Announced plans to relaunch show on Twitter/X
Announced he would relaunch his show on Twitter (later X); his attorneys also alleged breach of contract by Fox to challenge non-compete.
Sought funding to start a new media company with Neil Patel
Reported to be seeking investors and funds to launch a new media venture with former Daily Caller partner Neil Patel.
Released first episode of 'Tucker on Twitter' (later 'Tucker on X')
First episode aired June 6, 2023 (≈10 minutes); Fox reportedly issued a cease-and-desist after the episode.
Hosted Donald Trump on 'Tucker on X'
Hosted former President Donald Trump on his X show, intentionally conflicting with a Republican debate.
Interviewed Larry Sinclair on 'Tucker on X'
Interviewed a controversial figure who had made unverified claims about Barack Obama; interview drew criticism including from Elon Musk.
1789 Capital investment reported
Venture firm 1789 Capital invested in Carlson's new media company; reported as one of the firm's first investments.
Launched Tucker Carlson Network streaming service
Launched the Tucker Carlson Network — ad-supported and subscription offerings — with Justin Wells overseeing programming; originally planned for Twitter/X but moved due to tech limitations.
Interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin
Traveled to Russia and conducted a one-on-one interview with Vladimir Putin — the first Western journalist to do so since Russia's invasion of Ukraine (Feb 2022).
Launched 'The Tucker Carlson Show' podcast
Started a weekly commentary podcast; quickly became a top political podcast.
'The Tucker Carlson Show' #1 on Spotify (U.S.)
The podcast reached #1 most popular on Spotify in July 2024.
Hosted Darryl Cooper; Holocaust denial controversy
Interviewed podcaster Darryl Cooper who endorsed Holocaust denial on 'Tucker on X', sparking widespread condemnation.
Democratic Jewish members of Congress condemned the interview
All 24 Democratic Jewish members of Congress issued a joint statement condemning Carlson for hosting Darryl Cooper.
Father Dick Carlson died
Dick Carlson (1941–2025) is listed as having died in 2025 (per supplied text header).
Son Buckley Carlson named deputy press secretary to VP J.D. Vance
In 2025 Tucker's son Buckley Carlson was named Vice President J.D. Vance's deputy press secretary (per Britannica summary).
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