Lou Dobbs, the political commentator who anchored “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on CNN earlier than the present moved to Fox Business, has died. He was 78.
A message posted on Dobbs’ social media accounts confirmed his demise Thursday.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘the great Lou Dobbs.’ Lou was a fighter til the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country,” the assertion learn. “Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife Debi, children and grandchildren.”
Former President Donald Trump first introduced the information on Fact Social, writing, “The Great Lou Dobbs has just passed away — A friend, and truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent. He understood the World, and what was ‘happening,’ better than others.”
“Lou was unique in so many ways, and loved our Country. Our warmest condolences to his wonderful wife, Debi, and family. He will be greatly missed!” Trump wrote hours earlier than he’s scheduled to talk on the Republican Nationwide Conference and formally settle for the Republican presidential nomination.
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In an announcement shared with USA TODAY, Fox Information Media paid tribute to Dobbs. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs,” the assertion learn. “An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry.”
“We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family,” the assertion concluded.
Earlier than his demise, Dobbs was absent from his iHeartRadio present, “The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs,” in addition to his live-streamed present “Lou Dobbs Tonight” for over per week.
Dobbs aired a stay dialog with Trump weeks earlier than his demise
On July 3, through live-stream, Dobbs spoke with Trump after the Supreme Court docket issued its ruling on the problem of whether or not presidents are immune from prison prosecution.
In a 6-3 resolution, justices dominated a president’s “official” acts are protected against legal responsibility, however not the steps he took as a presidential candidate. Trump is accused of attempting to steal the 2020 election by spreading lies about election fraud.
Dobbs, who has been considered one of Trump’s most vocal supporters and pushed the “birther” conspiracy principle questioning Former President Barrack Obama’s citizenship, repeatedly unfold false claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. In 2021, Fox Business Community canceled “Lou Dobbs Tonight” following a 10-year run. The announcement got here in the future after Fox Information and three hosts, Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro, had been sued for $2.7 billion.
On the time, voting expertise firm Smartmatic claimed that the defendants conspired to unfold false claims that the corporate helped “steal” the presidential election. Fox has since filed a counterclaim within the New York Supreme Court docket, accusing the corporate of submitting a frivolous lawsuit.
Dobbs, who held a level in economics, was at CNN for over 20 years. He began as an anchor for this system “Moneyline” in 1980, and the present was renamed “Lou Dobbs Tonight” within the early 2000s. Dobbs left the cable community in 2009.
Because the starting of this 12 months, “Lou Dobbs Tonight” has been broadcasting on Mike Lindell’s on-line streaming broadcast community FrankSpeech.
Contributing: Maria Puente, Invoice Keveney, Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen