Sources have revealed that Tucker Carlson's unceremonious firing from FOX News came after he committed the ultimate offense of insulting former President Donald Trump. Insiders claim that Carlson, who believed himself to be the invincible kingpin of cable news, lost his $35 million position due in part to Trump's influence.

The 53-year-old commentator drew the ire of FOX News executives, including 92-year-old media mogul Rupert Murdoch, after he criticized Trump in leaked text messages. These messages emerged in court filings for a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion voting machines. In the texts, Carlson referred to Trump as a "demonic force" and the "undisputed world champion" of "destroying things." The disgruntled former president reportedly complained about Carlson to his close FOX News ally, Sean Hannity.

Following the Dominion lawsuit, which resulted in a staggering $787 million settlement, Carlson was let go from the network in under two weeks. An insider explained the consequences of angering Trump: "You can't go off and alienate Trump and get away with it at FOX, however powerful you think you are. Once Trump found out that Tucker was trash-talking him, he was toast."

Despite Trump's staff insisting that he had no role in Carlson's departure, sources say the former president enjoyed watching Carlson squirm during an April 11 interview. "He was told to call Trump a great man," reveals a source, noting that the segment aimed to appeal to Trump's core base, a key part of FOX's audience. "It was also a deliberate effort to humiliate Tucker."

However, even the obsequious interview could not save Carlson's job. An insider claims that Trump played a decisive role in the commentator's dismissal: "Word is that Trump called and tipped the balance. He holds a grudge."