He was the first anchor hired by Fox News in 1996.
But after nearly three decades behind the lens, a legend at Fox News abruptly went off the air yesterday in a move that left loyal viewers of the network stunned (and speculating if he left on his own terms).
Veteran Fox News star Neil Cavuto exited the network yesterday after 28 years on the job.
He made the surprise announcement while signing off at the end of yesterday’s “Your World,” the afternoon program he has hosted since Fox News launched in 1996.
In case you missed it, here’s how Cavuto’s departure unfolded:
Fox News confirmed the news of Cavuto’s departure, saying:
“Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism and we’re extremely proud of his 28-year run with Fox News Media,” the company said in a statement.
“His programs have defined business news and set the standard in the entire industry.”
Cavuto was a mainstay at the network, hosting three shows across Fox News and sister channel Fox Business Network, totaling 12 hours of programming per week. Beyond anchoring the daily programs “Your World” and “Cavuto: Coast to Coast” and the weekend show “Cavuto Live,” Cavuto, 66, was a senior vice president of Fox Business Network.
However, the sudden departure could raise eyebrows whether he may have been forced out.
For starters, according to the Los Angeles Times, Cavuto’s current deal expired at the end of the month and Cavuto chose to leave the company after being offered a new contract – likely at a lower salary – according to people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Additionally, Cavuto was one of Fox News’ last remaining on-air stars to publicly clash with Donald Trump. Cavuto was often critical of Trump, fact-checking his claims about everything from Covid-19 treatments to trade tariffs to hurricane-related misinformation.
In 2020, after Cavuto ridiculed Trump’s reported use of hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 prophylactic, Trump retweeted attacks calling him “stupid” and “foolish.”
At a campaign rally that year, Trump reportedly spent 20 minutes railing against a Cavuto segment in which a guest criticized his debate skills.
He directly insulted Cavuto, claiming “nobody likes him” and his “loser show.”
After Cavuto suggested this year that Trump lost his first and only presidential debate against Kamala Harris, Trump posted to Truth Social that “Neil Cavuto, Fox’s Lowest Rated Anchor, is one of the WORST on Television. I actually prefer the losers at CNN and MSDNC!”
Finally, Cavuto’s departure also comes at a time when big-name, legacy anchors across the TV news business are being asked to take lower salaries as ratings and revenues are shrinking. Hoda Kotb of NBC’s “Today” and Chris Wallace of CNN both chose to leave their roles rather than take new deals at lower pay.
No successor was named for Cavuto, whose programs will continue.
A permanent replacement is likely to come from within the ranks of the network, according to the Los Angeles Times.