Tucker Carlson podcast tops Apple Podcasts year-end charts one year after Fox News firing

Tucker Carlson is topping Apple Podcasts charts one year after his firing from Fox News, the tech company announced Tuesday.

The conservative host's podcast "The Tucker Carlson Show" topped the new shows list at No. 1.

The former star anchor's slate of guests on "Carlson Show" this year featured fellow controversial figures that ranged from comedians Rob Schneider, Russell Brand, and Roseanne Barr to Russian president Vladimir Putin and U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance. He also featured singer Kid Rock and Trump cabinet nominees Vivek Ramaswamy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The show describes itself as a "beacon of free speech and honest reporting in a media landscape dominated by misinformation," adding that "the only solution to ending the propaganda spiral is by telling the truth."

"That's our job. Every day. No matter what," the description of the right-wing podcast says.

Everything to know about top-rated Fox News host Tucker Carlson's exit: A seismic cable shift

Carlson was dismissed from Fox News in April 2023. The network's ex-top-rated cable news host announced last spring that they were "parting ways."

"We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor," Fox said at the time.

Carlson became Fox’s most popular personality after replacing Bill O’Reilly, who was fired in 2016 after settling a sexual harassment claims. During Carlson's tenure at the network. he consistently made headlines for far-right coverage, including airing tapes from the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection to minimize the impact of the deadly attack.

Network spokespersons didn't respond to a request to elaborate on the reasons for his departure at the time, but it coincided with $787.5 million payment Fox agreed to make last spring to settle a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems.  Dominion's suit accused Fox News of recklessly airing false election claims and conspiracy theories following the 2020 presidential election, with Tucker's revealed text messages front and center in the case.

Carlson recently garnered headlines at a Georgia campaign rally for Donald Trump before the 2024 presidential election for comments in which he likened Trump to a father coming home to spank his misbehaving teenage daughter, the country.

"He’s not vengeful. He loves his children, disobedient as they may be,” Carlson said. "When dad gets home, you know what he says? ‘You’ve been a bad girl. You’ve been a bad little girl, and you’re getting a vigorous spanking right now.'"

Apple Podcasts Top New Shows of 2024

1. "The Tucker Carlson Show"

2. "Three"

3. "Mortal Sin"

4. "Drowning Creek"

5. "The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke"

6. "Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings"

7. "Noble"

8. "Murder in the Hollywood Hills"

9. "Hysterical"

10. "Who Killed JFK?"

Contributing: Bryan Alexander, Charles Trepany

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tucker Carlson podcast tops Apple charts a year after Fox News firing