Political Wire

SubscribeSign in
  • Front Page
  • Trending News
  • Polling Dashboard
  • Trial Balloon
  • Membership
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
  • Sign In
  • Contact Us
Theme
Text size

Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 190

Trump Is Everywhere

A new episode of Trial Balloon just dropped for Political Wire members. Log in or become a member

Trial Balloon · Ep. 190: Trump Is Everywhere

Rupert Murdoch Thought Tucker Carlson Was a Moderate

September 20, 2023 · 7:58 am ET · Leave a Comment

New York Magazine has an excerpt from Michael Wolff’s new book:

“Now President Trump was its star, a change so big that it demanded a reshuffling of the prime-time lineup. Sean Hannity, the former ratings laggard who had revived his career with an unquestioning devotion to Trump — and emerged as one of Trump’s inner-circle advisers — was given the 9 p.m. slot in a sop to MAGA world. But the biggest change was that Murdoch gave Tucker Carlson, a former magazine journalist who had served unremarkable tenures as a host at both CNN and MSNBC, an 8 p.m. anchor slot.”

“Murdoch made the unexpected move because he believed Carlson to be a moderate Republican who could be a counterweight — someone who could pull Fox away from reflexive Trumpism. The opposite happened: Carlson became a firebrand of the new Trump order and cable television’s ratings winner. The two men, Trump and Carlson, were suddenly the pillars of the post-Ailes network, and there was not much that even Murdoch could do about it.”

The Fall
The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty
by Michael Wolff · Henry Holt and Co. · 2023
Buy on Amazon
Hardcover·Kindle
More on this book from Political Wire →

Media Buzz, Political Books

← PreviousDemocratic Groups Target GOP Lawmakers Over ShutdownNext →How McCarthy Can Get Out of This Jam

Latest on Political Wire

  • 3:26 pmTrump Makes Deal with Putin for Russian Diesel Fuel
  • 2:51 pmKansas Senate Race Is a Surprising New Midterm Fight
  • 2:48 pmAnother Bonus Quote of the Day

Front page →

Political Wire is reader-supported. Join for ad-free reading, member posts and new features →

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

More about Taegan Goddard →

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was
    Eight moments in political history. Put them on a timeline.
    Play →
  • Yea or Nay?
    Five senators. Three bills. Can you guess how they all voted?
    Play →
  • Split Decision
    Nine Justices. One case. How did they rule?
    Play →
  • Pollster
    Do you have your finger on the pulse of America?
    Play →
  • Daily Trivia
    Four questions a day.
    Play →

A new game every day.

Your Account

Members

For the full experience, sign in.

Become a Member

  • Join Political Wire
  • Gift a Membership

Members Only

  • The Senate Map Has Turned Upside Down
  • Another Trouble Sign for Republicans
  • Another Brutal Warning Sign for Republicans
  • Who’s Running Ken Paxton’s Campaign?
  • The Battleground Is Getting Much Bigger

?Political Trivia

  • The Way It Was →
  • Yea or Nay? →
  • Split Decision →
  • Pollster →
  • Daily Trivia →

Word of the Day Political Dictionary

Ratfucking

“Ratfucking” is the art of carrying out dirty tricks and crafty maneuvers, usually in the name of winning an election.

Read the definition →

Yesterday’s Word of the Day: Inside Baseball

Show me a random term

Copyright © 2026 · Goddard Media LLC

Political Wire® is a registered trademark of Goddard Media LLC

Also from Goddard Media: Political Dictionary · Political Job Hunt · Electoral Vote Map

Privacy PolicyCorrections PolicyContact