Dr. Ben Carson 's path to the White House begins by walking away from Fox News . On Friday , amid media reports about Carson 's preparations to possibly run for president , Carson and Fox confirmed that his relationship with the cable news channel had been severed . From now on , when Carson appears on Fox , it 'll be as a newsmaking guest , not as a paid contributor . Carson , formerly a neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital , signed up with Fox back in October 2013 . Earlier that year , he had garnered attention for speeches at the National Prayer Breakfast , the Conservative Political Action Conference and elsewhere . While contributing to Fox programs , he openly flirted with the possibility of a presidential run in 2016 . In September , he told the radio host Hugh Hewitt that the chances of a run were `` reasonably good , '' but that he was waiting for a `` few more months . '' It 's been a couple of months , at least . Earlier this week , The Washington Times ( which publishes columns by Carson ) reported that a flattering documentary about him , titled `` A Breath of Fresh Air : A New Prescription for America , '' is set to air this weekend in local markets across the country . `` A production company run by conservative personality Armstrong Williams filmed the documentary and is paying for the airtime , '' The Times reported . `` Mr. Williams is also Mr. Carson 's business manager . '' Soon after the hourlong ad telecasts were reported , Fox said Carson was no longer a contributor . Fox took similar action with two contributors , Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum , in the run-up to the 2012 election . Carson said in a statement Friday evening that `` at this time , no decision has been made to run for president . '' `` However , recognizing the possibility , Fox News felt I needed complete independence to fully examine my options , '' he said . `` My departure has been thoroughly amicable and is in the best interest for both Fox News and myself . '' Fox 's own website quoted a GOP strategist , Tyler Harber , as saying , `` The man 's running . He 's been running for two years . ''
Conservative parts ways with Fox News . Says he needs time to consider his political options . That could include a 2016 presidential run .