Fox News is going through some strange times.
It’s no secret that the news cable giant experienced some rough times during the tail end of President Donald Trump’s presidency and into the November 2020 election — which ultimately led to a major dip in ratings.
Now, one of its biggest stars has abruptly gotten the boot.
Fox Business’ Lou Dobbs is gone.
Los Angeles Times reported the news Friday afternoon when a Fox official confirmed the sudden cancellation of “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”
The show’s final program would air later that night without Dobbs.
A spokesperson for the network claimed that the move had long been in the works — referencing planned changes the network announced back in late 2020.
“As we said in October, Fox News Media regularly considers programming changes and plans have been in place to launch new formats as appropriate post-election, including on Fox Business — this is part of those planned changes,” a Fox News Media spokesperson said in an email. “A new 5 p.m. program will be announced in the near future.”
The move left even Dobbs’ critics stunned.
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Throughout what seemed like a shift in Fox News’ programming, Dobbs remained as one of the most vocal supporters of former President Trump. The two reportedly had a relationship so chummy that Trump enjoyed having Dobbs on speakerphone during Oval Office meetings.
The major move hints that Fox News has its sights set on refocusing its conservative coverage to the middle with more moderate hosts and anchors.
But regardless of what Fox spokespeople say, recent events may provide some clues as to why Dobbs got the abrupt boot.
He was involved in electronic technology company Smartmatic’s lawsuit against Fox News — which implicated Dobbs — for his rhetoric in promoting widespread voter fraud theories.
The lawsuit was made official Thursday.
By Friday the plug was pulled.
As far as a replacement for Dobbs, the Los Angeles Times floated the possibility of former White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow filling the spot.
When reached for comment, Dobbs said he had nothing to say on the shakeup.
“Thanks,” he told The Washington Post, “but I have no comment at this time.”
The Horn editorial team