Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launched a scathing attack against his former employer during a recent podcast appearance, making explosive claims about the network’s coverage of the Iran conflict while revealing surprising details about his departure and subsequent offers from the Murdoch family.
During a conversation with fellow former Fox News anchor Clayton Morris on “The Tucker Carlson Show” on June 24, 2025, Carlson described his experience working at the network as physically demanding, stating that being “a semi-witting cog in the propaganda machine” had significant personal costs. He indicated that the stress of his role at Fox News caused him to gain weight, describing it as “incredibly hard physically” and “the hardest job I ever had.”
Carlson, who worked at Fox News for 14 years, including six years hosting “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” criticized the network’s current coverage of President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran. He expressed particular frustration with what he characterized as fear-mongering tactics designed to “scare old people into obedience.” The former host played clips featuring network personalities Sean Hannity, Ted Cruz, Bari Weiss, Lindsey Graham, Kayleigh McEnany, and Mark Levin supporting Trump’s recent airstrikes against three nuclear sites in Iran.
The criticism comes amid what sources describe as a bitter MAGA civil war over U.S. interventionism in Iran. Carlson reserved particular criticism for longtime network host Mark Levin, who has described opponents of U.S. intervention in Iran as “lunatics.” Carlson suggested that he would have challenged such statements during his time at the network, noting that “there was a guy who would’ve questioned him, but they fired him a couple years ago.”
In a stunning revelation, Carlson claimed that the Murdoch family approached him about running against Trump in the 2024 presidential election. According to Carlson, this offer came in May 2023, just one month after Fox News terminated his show in April 2023. He indicated that Lachlan Murdoch, CEO of Fox Corp and son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, specifically encouraged him to enter the presidential race.
Carlson described the alleged offer as comprehensive, suggesting the Murdochs promised support from “the whole Fox News apparatus” as well as other properties in their media empire, including The Wall Street Journal and their other newspaper holdings. He characterized the Murdoch family’s feelings toward Trump as particularly hostile, stating that “there’s no one who hates Trump more than the Murdochs.”
The former host rejected the proposal, explaining that he believed he would never get elected and expressing continued support for Trump despite current frustrations. Carlson has recently criticized Trump’s Middle East policy, particularly regarding Israel’s military strikes against Iran, arguing that the president has abandoned his “America First” philosophy.
This week has seen escalating tensions between Carlson and Trump over foreign policy. The president responded to Carlson’s criticism by dismissing his comments at the G7 Summit in Canada, suggesting Carlson should “go get a television network” to voice his opinions. Trump later called Carlson “kooky” on social media, though the president subsequently revealed that Carlson had called to apologize for his comments.
Carlson also targeted specific Fox News personnel during his podcast appearance, including Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin. He described Griffin as “the deepest of the deep state” and criticized her coverage as biased against Trump. Carlson revealed that during his time at the network, he had complained to superiors about Griffin’s reporting, questioning her value to the organization given what he characterized as her liberal views and opposition to Trump.
The former host suggested that Griffin’s close relationship with Pentagon sources, including having an office at the Pentagon, potentially compromised her objectivity in covering national security issues.
Carlson’s departure from Fox News in April 2023 came shortly after the network reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation claims related to 2020 election coverage. Text messages revealed during the lawsuit showed Carlson privately expressing negative views about Trump while publicly supporting him on air, including messages where he stated “I hate him passionately” and “I can’t handle much more of this.”
The revelations highlight ongoing tensions within conservative media circles and the broader MAGA movement over foreign policy direction. Trump announced a ceasefire this week, which Carlson welcomed by posting “Thank God” on social media, while continuing to criticize network personalities who had supported military action.
Fox News has not responded to requests for comment regarding Carlson’s claims about the Murdoch family or his criticism of current network coverage and personnel.
