The recent turmoil surrounding Tucker Carlson’s sudden departure from Fox News has left many conservative viewers feeling betrayed. Former Fox News host Megyn Kelly appears to have captured the sentiment of many conservatives as she tweeted out a new nickname for the network: “Foxweiser.”
My audience is calling them #Foxweiser. https://t.co/39K4AwE7JY
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) May 5, 2023
Kelly’s nickname drew a parallel between the embattled network and the controversies plaguing Bud Light’s parent company, Anheuser-Busch, both of which have made questionable decisions that alienated their core demographics.
The impact of Carlson’s exit from Fox News has been swift and significant. According to Mediaite, Fox’s 8 p.m. time slot, which attracted 3.2 million viewers the Monday before Carlson’s ouster, garnered only 2.6 million the following week. With the absence of Carlson, Fox lost the 9 p.m. time slot to MSNBC, as Sean Hannity’s 2.5 million viewers were surpassed by the 2.7 million tuning in to watch Rachel Maddow.
The ratings decline is one of many problems facing Fox News. After the announcement of Carlson’s departure, the company’s stock price tumbled more than 5.4%. Neither Fox News nor Carlson has offered details about why he was fired, leaving viewers and fans with more questions than answers.
It’s rare to see two separate controversies converge like the Bud Light and Fox News debacles. Still, Kelly’s “Foxweiser” nickname highlights the parallels between these two entities that have both faltered in the eyes of their traditional audiences.
Anheuser-Busch, a multinational corporation, could almost be expected to make controversial decisions as it tries to stay relevant in an ever-changing market. However, Fox News has long held itself up as the sole conservative-leaning network amid a sea of left-leaning networks like CNN and MSNBC. Its core identity has revolved around its commitment to conservative values and the willingness to say what other networks won’t.
The lack of transparency regarding Carlson’s departure has disillusioned many conservative viewers with the network they once trusted. The situation with Fox News underscores the power and impact that true conservatives can have on major corporations and legacy media when they choose to make their voices heard.
