How Tucker Carlson could prove to be a thorn in the side of Fox after his ousting

The host has tapped into the paranoia of white America and wears a badge of authenticity in the minds of those who identify with the populist right, writes James Moore

Tucker Carlson has promised he’ll be back soon (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Could Tucker Carlson’s departure damage the business of Fox News?

The right-wing cable news channel is a ratings juggernaut, a powerful voice in America’s national conversation and, crucially, a wildly successful commercial operation.

It has jettisoned anchors – and influential executives such as Roger Ailes – weathered storms and batted aside innumerable controversies and lawsuits. However, this one could be different.