I held off commenting on Tucker Carlson’s departure from Fox News yesterday, primarily because I was waiting to see what he might have to say for himself. Nearly 24 hours later, the (formerly) most popular news host on cable television is still maintaining radio silence. There were no updates on the Fox News Nation primetime page this morning other than the removal of Tucker’s page, leaving only Hannity and Laura Ingraham as options. Tucker’s own website sported a form to sign up for updates “to find out what Tucker’s up to next.” No further details were offered.

Speculation as to how and why Fox and Carlson “agreed to part ways” has been running rampant. Many initially suspected it had something to do with the massive Dominion lawsuit settlement that was recently announced, but the various parties involved seem to be denying that. Others are claiming that Rupert Murdoch made the decision because of a discrimination lawsuit being brought by one of his former producers who claimed that the host created a hostile workplace environment. But until either Murdoch or Tucker himself decide to comment, that remains purely speculative.

No matter the cause, nearly everyone seems to agree that this was not a “joint” decision (no matter how Fox News chooses to describe it) and Carlson was forced out on virtually no notice. If so, this was a hugely risky move on the part of Fox News and I’m sure they were aware of that. Tucker has a massive audience who will remain predominantly loyal to him. As I noted on social media yesterday, it seems inevitable that Carlson will show up somewhere, probably sooner rather than later, and his audience will follow him. Fox News’ normally dominant primetime ratings could easily hit the rocks. Fox News’ stock lost more than $500 million in value in a matter of hours, suggesting that investors were seeing the same thing coming.

The gloating on liberal outlets was impossible to ignore. Those who were never able to match Tucker’s popularity couldn’t wait to dance on his grave. The San Francisco Chronicle came out of the gate early with an obituary for Carlson’s career. Curiously, they chose to focus on the fact that Tucker was born and originally raised in California but suggested that he had been “hiding” that fact from his audience while criticizing the state’s liberal policies and declining conditions.

What he hasn’t discussed with the same fervor is that he has ties to San Francisco. Specifically, he was born to a wealthy family in the city.

You read that right: Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson — one of the most influential voices in conservative politics — was born in one of the most progressive cities in America. His family generated its initial wealth in California. His father, Dick Carlson, couldn’t afford college and consequently enlisted in the Marines, according to the New Yorker. He subsequently became a reporter and a successful television anchor in California. One of the most notable moments during the elder Carlson’s career involved outing a transgender tennis player. 

All I can say to the people who are currently poking voodoo pins into their Tucker Carlson dolls is that you’re probably celebrating very prematurely. Carlson carried an average audience of up to 3.5 million viewers and was on a streak of beating MSNBC and CNN combined for more than 100 consecutive weeks. Love him or hate him, the industry isn’t going to let an audience of that size simply evaporate because of how much advertising money is at stake.

Of course, there are some theories making the rounds suggesting that a new television show might not be Tucker’s next target. Is it actually possible that Tucker Carlson could be considering a run for president? Politico took the idea seriously enough to game out his possible path to the nomination yesterday. Personally, I just don’t see someone who despises the Washington swamp (and both parties, frankly) as much as Carlson wanting to go do a swan dive into the middle of it. But if he did, I would find it hilarious and it would drive his critics even more crazy than they already are.

Stay tuned. I don’t know what the next chapter will be in the Tucker Carlson saga, but I have no doubt that it’s being written right now.