OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Fox News announced on Monday that the network had fired top-rated host Tucker Carlson.
Fox News stated it would rotate hosts before making any final decisions on Carlson’s replacement, but rumors are already swirling around who the network might choose to take over his show.
Mediaite published a report titled, “Who Will Replace Tucker Carlson at Fox News? Here Are Mediaite’s Top Picks,” where staff members compiled a list of potential hosts who could take over Carlson’s coveted 8 PM time slot.
Right now, Jesse Watters has 7 PM ET, Sean Hannity has 9 PM ET, and Laura Ingraham has the 10 PM ET time slot.
Mediaite suggested in its report that Fox News could simply move around Watters, Ingraham, or Hannity to give them the 8 PM time slot and test a new host in a later time slot. That way, a more seasoned host would simply take over Carlson’s time slot on the network.
In the event that Fox News keeps the primetime hosts in their current time slots, here are the top 6 names that Mediaite suggested could take over Carlson’s show:
Greg Gutfeld — who hosts “The Five” and his late-night comedy show “Gutfeld!”
Tulsi Gabbard — a former Democratic lawmaker and 2020 presidential candidate
Kayleigh McEnany — former press secretary in the Trump administration
Brian Kilmeade — a longtime host and figure at Fox News
Pete Hegseth — a co-host and contributor at Fox News
Jesse Watters — who hosts “The Five” and his own primetime show
Time will tell what Fox News decides to do, but news of Carlson’s firing ignited a firestorm on social media this week.
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld appeared to offer his support on Wednesday to Carlson.
Gutfeld took to Twitter to defend Carlson and hit back at his colleague Geraldo Rivera, who had issued some seething comments about Carlson after his departure.
Rivera tweeted: “I don’t wish ill on anybody, but there is no doubt – as I said at the time-Tucker Carlson’s perverse January 6 conspiracy theory was ‘bullsh*t.’ Having lost the election President Trump incited an insurrection that sought to undermine our Constitutional process.”
In response, Gutfeld hit back at Rivera for taking a shot at Carlson, which came across as Gutfeld was offering support to his former colleague.
“You’re a class act Geraldo. A real man of the people,” Gutfeld tweeted.
You’re a class act Geraldo. A real man of the people. https://t.co/20LOwVzXwS
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) April 26, 2023
Earlier this week, Gutfeld made headlines when he mentioned Carlson on-air after the news broke that Fox News had “parted ways” with the top-rated host.
During a segment on “The Five,” Gutfeld joked that Carlson will now run for president — and several of the hosts did not say a word.
Dana Perino took a sip of her drink, Jason Chaffetz laughed, and Jeanine Pirro immediately moved on and kicked the show over to a new segment on a different topic.
It seemed as if no one wanted to talk about Carlson or the explosive news, which could suggest that on-air hosts may have been told to not discuss the situation.
But Gutfeld was not afraid to mention Carlson and appeared defiant.
The conversation at the table began when they discussed President Joe Biden’s re-election prospects. Chaffetz predicted that even though Biden will likely announce re-election, he will ultimately not run. Biden did announce early on Tuesday morning that he is running for a second term.
“I think she actually might be a candidate,” Chaffetz said. “I don’t think Joe Biden – even though he may announce tomorrow – I don’t think by the time he gets to the end of the year he’s actually going to run.”
As the end of the segment neared, Gutfeld joked about Carlson by saying: “And then so in 2024, it’ll be Susan Rice versus Tucker Carlson.”
“Ok,” Pirro said before teasing the next segment and kicking the show to commercial.
WATCH:
Gutfeld Jokes Tucker Carlson Will Run for President After Getting Fired by Fox Newspic.twitter.com/CDcbMfpdZP
— Patriot Alerts (@alerts___) April 25, 2023
