NEW YORK — Lou Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host who was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade, has died. He was 78.
His death was announced Thursday in a post on his official X account, which called him a “fighter till the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most: God, his family and the country.” No cause of death was given.
“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,” the post said.
He hosted “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox Business from 2011 to 2021 following two separate stints at CNN.
Fox News Media said that Dobbs’ passing saddened the network.
“An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry,” the statement said. “We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Dobbs was an early and vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his candidacy for the White House and throughout his presidency. After his death was announced Thursday, Trump wrote on his media platform Truth Social that Dobbs was a friend and a “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 on the platform.
Dobbs’ Fox show was titled “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” like the one he left in 2009 at CNN. Once the most visible television business journalist with his “Moneyline” show in the 1990s, Dobbs dove into the complex public policy and economic issues that drive society. He always wanted to be straight with his viewers.
Dobbs spent more than two decades at CNN, joining at its launch in 1980 and hosting “Moneyline.” He left CNN in 2009 to help media mogul Rupert Murdoch launch Fox Business.
“Lou was one of the CNN originals who helped launch and shape the network,” CNN said in a statement. “We are saddened to hear about his passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Debi, children and his family.”
When he joined Fox, he said he considered himself the underdog. A few years later, his show was highly rated, and he became a key figure in the network.
“My audience has always expected me to tell them where I’m coming from, and I don’t see any reason to disappoint them,” he said in 2011.