Lou Dobbs, conservative pundit and longtime cable TV host for Fox Business and CNN, dies at 78
NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Lou DobbsThe conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host who co-founded CNN and later was a regular anchor 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 described him as a “fighter to the end – fighting for what meant most to him, God, family and country.” No cause of death was given.
“Lou’s legacy will live on forever as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife Debi, children and grandchildren,” the post read.
From 2011 to 2021, he hosted the program “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox Business, following two separate stints at CNN.
Fox News Media said in a statement that the network was saddened to learn of Dobbs’ passing.
“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 deeply grateful for his many contributions and send our sincere condolences to his family.”
Dobbs was an early and vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his White House bid 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 most. Lou was unique in so many ways and loved our country. Our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Debi, and family. He will be greatly missed!” Trump wrote on the platform.
Dobbs was named in a lawsuit against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems over lies told on the network about the 2020 presidential election. A mediator in 2023 pushed the two sides toward a $787 million settlementaverting a process. A mountain of evidence — some condemning, some just plain embarrassing — showed that many Fox executives and on-air talent did not believe the allegations, which aired primarily on shows hosted by Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro. At the time, they were afraid of angering Trump fans in public with the truth.
Dobbs worked at CNN for more than two decades. He joined CNN at its launch in 1980, hosting the program “Moneyline.” He left CNN in 2009 to help media mogul Rupert Murdoch launch Fox Business.
“Lou was one of the original CNN members, helping to launch and shape the network. We are saddened to hear of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his wife Debi, children and family,” CNN said in a statement.
When he came to Fox, he said he considered himself the underdog. A few years later, his show was highly rated and he was a key figure on the right-wing network.
“We will focus on the American people, their standard of living… the American nation,” he said on his show in 2011“Those are always my starting points.”
Dobbs’ Fox show was called “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” the same name he left in 2009 after an uneasy few years at CNN. Once television’s most visible journalist with his “Moneyline” show in the 1990s, Dobbs worried CNN management when he became increasingly opinionated and drew angry protests from Latinos over his emphasis on curbing illegal immigration.
Dobbs immersed himself in the complex issues of government policy and economics that shape society.
Dobbs said he always wanted to be honest with his viewers about his own positions on certain issues.
“My audience has always expected me to tell them where I come from, and I see no reason to disappoint them,” he said in 2011.