Fox News Chief Anchor Shepard Smith Exits Network; Trump Quips ‘That’s a Shame’

Shepard Smith, the chief news anchor at Fox News, has announced his departure from the conservative cable news network after 23 years. His final broadcast on “Shepard Smith Reporting” aired on Friday, marking the end of an era for one of Fox News’ most prominent and respected journalists.

Smith’s decision to leave comes after years of being one of the few voices on the network that often fact-checked and criticized President Donald Trump. His departure also follows a reported internal warning from Fox News executives against criticizing primetime host Tucker Carlson.

In his on-air farewell, Smith stated, “Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter.” He went on to express gratitude for his time at the network, saying, “After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged. The opportunities afforded this guy from small town Mississippi have been many.”

Fox News confirmed that Smith was not leaving to take another job in journalism at the moment. His contract reportedly prevents him from working at another network in the near future.

President Trump, who has frequently criticized Smith for not being as supportive as other Fox News hosts, responded to the news with sarcasm. “Is he leaving? Oh, that’s a shame,” Trump quipped to reporters.

Trump’s remarks followed his latest Twitter attack on Smith, which came just a day before the anchor’s resignation. The president has often taken issue with Smith’s reporting, particularly when he provided fact-based analysis that contradicted the administration’s claims.

Smith’s exit came amid tensions within Fox News over the balance between its news division and opinion programming. A recent controversy involved Smith calling out Tucker Carlson for allowing a guest, attorney Joseph di Genova, to insult Fox News legal analyst Andrew Napolitano on air. Smith had described the incident as “repugnant.” Reports later emerged that Smith had been warned by Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and network president Jay Wallace not to criticize Carlson again. However, Fox News denied these claims, stating, “At no time did anyone—including anyone in management or a third party—speak to Shepard Smith regarding this matter.”

Smith’s departure took many at the network by surprise. Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto was visibly stunned on air, reacting with, “Whoa! Like you, I’m a little stunned and a little heartbroken. I don’t know what to say.”

Jay Wallace, Fox News’ president, praised Smith’s contributions, saying, “Shep is one of the premier newscasters of his generation and his extraordinary body of work is among the finest journalism in the industry.”

Smith’s role at Fox News was unique. Unlike many of the network’s primetime hosts who openly support Trump, Smith maintained a reputation for straightforward reporting. His departure signals a shift in the balance of Fox News’ programming, potentially reinforcing its reputation as a network more aligned with Trump’s viewpoints.

A 2018 Morning Consult poll revealed that Smith was the least-liked Fox News personality among Republicans, with only 23% of them viewing him favorably. In contrast, Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham were among the most popular hosts among the GOP base.

For now, Smith has not announced his next move. His departure statement indicated that he plans to take time off before considering new opportunities. However, given his reputation for journalistic integrity, many in the media industry will be watching closely to see where he lands next.

As Fox News continues to evolve, Smith’s resignation serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between straight news reporting and partisan opinion programming at the network. His absence leaves a significant void, and it remains to be seen how Fox News will fill it in the coming months.

Fox News chief anchor Shepard Smith exits network — Trump quips ‘that’s a shame’

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith is leaving the conservative cable news network after 23 years there.
Smith’s afternoon show on Friday is his last appearance on the network, according to Fox News. It comes a day after President Donald Trump criticized Smith — again — on Twitter.
“Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter,” Smith says in a prepared statement.

Shep Smith on Fox News
Steven Ferdman | Getty Images

Fox News chief news anchor Shepard Smith is leaving the conservative cable network after 23 years there, he announced Friday.

Smith’s appearance Friday on “Shepard Smith Reporting” was his last appearance on the network, according to Fox News. Smith is not leaving to take another job in journalism, he said during his final broadcast.

In addition to working as chief news anchor, Smith had been managing editor of the network’s breaking news unit. He had worked at Fox News since its launch.

At a network known for its often full-throated support of President Donald Trump, Smith stood out for his criticisms of the president and for his fact-checking of claims by Trump and his supporters.

“Is he leaving? Oh, that’s a shame,” Trump quipped to reporters on the heels of the announcement of Smith’s exit.

Smith’s departure follows a report that he was warned last month by Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott and network president Jay Wallace not to criticize the network’s evening anchor Tucker Carlson again.

Smith had said on the air that it was “repugnant” that Carlson had not spoken up in defense of Fox News contributor Andrew Napolitano after a Carlson guest, attorney Joseph di Genova, called Napolitano a “fool” for saying that Trump had broken the law. Di Genova is a legal advisor to Trump.

Fox News denied that Smith was warned about his criticism of Carlson.

“At no time did anyone – including anyone in management or a third party – speak to Shepard Smith regarding this matter,” a Fox News spokesperson said. “Anything to the contrary is entirely false and wildly inaccurate.”

Smith also has been criticized repeatedly by Trump — as recently as Thursday — after not lavishing praise on the president, as a number of other hosts on the network routinely do.

“Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter,” Smith said in a prepared statement.

“After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged. The opportunities afforded this guy from small town Mississippi have been many,” Smith said.

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“It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective, without fear or favor. I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to have anchored their work each day — I will deeply miss them.”

Smith said on air that “under our agreement” with Fox News “I won’t be reporting elsewhere, at least not in the near future.”

“Whoa!” said a clearly surprised Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto on the air after watching Smith’s sign-off.

“Like you I’m a little stunned and a little heartbroken, I don’t know what to say.”

Wallace said in his own statement, “Shep is one of the premier newscasters of his generation and his extraordinary body of work is among the finest journalism in the industry.”

“While this day is especially difficult as his former producer, we respect his decision and are deeply grateful for his immense contributions to the entire network,” Wallace said.day, Trump called Smith out by name on Twitter as he fumed over a Fox News poll that showed a slight majority of voters favor impeachment and removal of the president.

Trump has not hesitated to blast Smith in the past, even as he praised others on Fox News

A Morning Consult poll last November found that Smith was the “least-loved Fox News personality” among Republicans.

Just 23% of Republicans had a favorable view of Smith in that poll, with 21% perceiving him unfavorably.

Carlson, in contrast, was the most popular Fox News host among Republicans, having a net favorability of 31%.

In second place in that poll was Laura Ingraham, another Trump-supporting anchor with an evening show.