Tucker Carlson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Tucker Carlson.

Tucker Carlson is an American conservative political commentator and conspiracy theorist. He hosted Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News from 2016 to 2023 and currently hosts Tucker on X and The Tucker Carlson Show. A supporter of Donald Trump, Carlson has been called a leading voice in right-wing media and of white grievance politics. His commentary and views have made him a highly influential figure in conservative media.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

2003: Esquire Profile Nomination

In 2003, Tucker Carlson's Esquire profile on his journey to Liberia alongside Reverend Al Sharpton received a nomination at the National Magazine Awards.

January 2017: Tucker Carlson Tonight gets consistently high ratings

In January 2017, Tucker Carlson Tonight scored consistently high ratings, averaging 2.8 million viewers per night.

March 2017: Tucker Carlson Tonight becomes top cable program

In March 2017, Tucker Carlson Tonight was the most watched cable program in the 9:00 p.m. time slot.

March 2018: Tucker Carlson Tonight Third-Highest-Rated Cable News Show

As of March 2018, Tucker Carlson Tonight was the third-highest-rated cable news show.

October 2018: Release of Ship of Fools

In October 2018, Carlson's book, Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution, was released and became a New York Times Best Seller.

October 2018: Tucker Carlson Tonight Second-Highest Rated Cable News Show

In October 2018, Tucker Carlson Tonight was the second-highest rated cable news show in prime time, with 3.2 million nightly viewers.

March 2019: Calls to fire Carlson from Fox News

In March 2019, there were calls to fire Tucker Carlson from Fox News after Media Matters resurfaced controversial remarks he had made. His ratings rose eight percent that week despite the boycotts.

October 2020: Tucker Carlson Tonight viewership peaks

By October 2020, Tucker Carlson Tonight averaged 5.3 million viewers, becoming the highest of any cable news program in history at that point.

2020: Tucker Carlson Tonight Becomes Highest-Rated Cable News Show

Starting the week of June 8-14, 2020, Tucker Carlson Tonight became the highest-rated cable news show in the U.S., with an average of four million viewers, amidst controversy and advertising boycotts.

2021: Carlson recognized for influencing American politics

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, Tucker Carlson was "recognized for his success in helping to bring far-right viewpoints and vocabulary into the mainstream of American politics" In 2021, Time said that Carlson could be the most powerful conservative in America and Mediaite named him the most influential person in news media.