Tucker Carlson is one of American media’s most well-known and polarizing figures. The conservative TV host, political commentator, and author has been a staple of cable news for over two decades, working for CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. He is also the co-founder of the website The Daily Caller and a best-selling author of four books. But how much money does he make from his various ventures? And what is his net worth as of 2023?
Tucker Carlsons Salary and Fox News Contract
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Tucker Carlson has an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2023. His primary source of income is his salary from Fox News, where he has been working since 2009. He started as a contributor and a weekend host before taking over Bill O’Reilly’s prime-time slot in 2016 with his show Tucker Carlson Tonight.
Tucker Carlsons salary at Fox News has increased as his ratings and popularity grew. He reportedly earned $2 million yearly as a weekend host, which increased to $6 million yearly when he became a prime-time host. In 2021, he signed a contract extension that boosted his salary to $10 million annually. The extension also included a podcast and a series of specials called Tucker Carlson Originals.
However, in April 2023, Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News in a shocking move that stunned the media industry. The network announced that they had parted ways with Carlson after he was sued by Dominion Voting Systems for defamation over his claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Fox News had to pay $787.5 million to settle the lawsuit, one of the largest defamation settlements in history.
Tucker Carlson’s firing from Fox News left his future uncertain. He had been negotiating a new contract extension that would have kept him at the network until 2029 and paid him $25 million annually. However, he left the deal and forfeited the remaining $25 million owed on his current contract. He announced that he would launch a new show on Twitter, with over 10 million followers.
Tucker Carlsons Other Sources of Income
Aside from his TV career, Tucker Carlson has also made money from other business endeavors. He is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller, a conservative news and opinion website launched in 2010 with Neil Patel, a former adviser to Dick Cheney. The website has been profitable since 2013, attracting millions of readers and advertisers. Tucker Carlson owns a 40% stake in the website, valued at around $30 million.
Tucker Carlson is also a successful author and columnist. He has written four books: Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News (2003), Ship of Fools (2017), Stone’s Rules: How to Win at Politics, Business, and Style (2018), and The Long Slide: Thirty Years in American Journalism (2021). His books have been best-sellers on the New York Times list, earning him millions of dollars in royalties and advances. In 2017, he signed an eight-figure book deal with Threshold Editions, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
Tucker Carlson has also written for various publications, such as New York Magazine, Esquire, The Weekly Standard, The New Republic, The Atlantic, and Politico. He has also appeared in several documentaries and movies, such as Swing Vote (2008), Split: A Divided America (2008), Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism (2004), and Do I Sound Gay? (2014). He has also appeared on shows like 30 Rock, Bored to Death, King of the Hill, and Parks and Recreation.
Tucker Carlsons Lifestyle and Controversies
Tucker Carlson lives a lavish lifestyle thanks to his wealth. He owns several properties nationwide, including a $3.8 million mansion in Washington, DC, a $2.2 million farmhouse in Maine, and a $2.9 million vacation home in Florida. He also owns a collection of cars, such as a Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet ($203k), a Range Rover ($92k), and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($94k).
However, Tucker Carlson’s wealth and fame have brought him many controversies and criticisms. He has been accused of spreading misinformation, conspiracy theories, racism, sexism, and xenophobia on his show and website. He has also been involved in several lawsuits, scandals, and boycotts. He has been sued by former Playboy model Karen McDougal for defamation, accused of sexual harassment by former Fox News colleague Cathy Areu, and targeted by activists who protested outside his home.
Tucker Carlson has also faced backlash from advertisers, who have pulled their ads from his show and website over his controversial remarks. Some major brands that have boycotted him include T-Mobile, Disney, Papa John’s, Progressive, SmileDirectClub, Mint Mobile, and Pacific Life. As a result, his show has lost more than 70% of its advertisers since 2018.
Tucker Carlson is one of America’s wealthiest and most influential TV hosts. He has built a loyal fan base and a media empire with his conservative views and provocative style. However, his controversial statements and actions have alienated many people and companies. His net worth reflects his success and controversy in the media industry.