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Fox News has abruptly canceled Fox Business Network host Lou Dobbs’ weekday program, “Lou Dobbs Tonight.” But in doing so, the network has spurred intense anger that could potentially lead to its longtime viewers canceling it.
Dobbs’ cancellation has also drawn the attention of former President Donald Trump.
The story broke Friday afternoon by the Los Angles Times:
“Dobbs’ program, which airs twice nightly at 5 and 7 p.m. Eastern on the Fox Business Network, will have its final airing Friday, according to a Fox News representative who confirmed the cancellation,” the Times reported.
“Starting next week, the program will be called ‘Fox Business Tonight,’ with rotating substitute hosts Jackie DeAngelis and David Asman, who filled in for Dobbs on Friday.”
The announcement came a day after the election systems company Smartmatic filed a pre-planned $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox Corp. that named Dobbs as one of several hosts (including Judge Jeanine Pirro and Maria Bartiromo) who’d “irreparably harmed” its reputation by accusing it of committing election fraud.
Here is the 285-page, $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit that election tech company Smartmatic filed today in state court in Manhattan against Fox, Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell: https://t.co/VYwrKETtyS
Intro: “The Earth is round.” pic.twitter.com/dZzyPBuIvd
— Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) February 4, 2021
Fox News responded to the suit with a statement: “FOX News Media is committed to providing the full context of every story with in-depth reporting and clear opinion. We are proud of our 2020 election coverage and will vigorously defend against this meritless lawsuit in court.”
In a statement to the Times, a Fox News Media spokesperson claimed that discussions over ending the Fox Business Network host’s show had preceded the suit.
“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 new 5 p.m. program will be announced in the near future,” the spokesperson reportedly said.
The problem is that few people believe Fox News. Even Dobbs’ detractors seem convinced that his cancellation is linked to his promotion of alleged election fraud claims:
“Don’t spend months deceiving your viewers with civilly actionable falsehoods” is generally a good rule of thumb https://t.co/lIQLsAqhXX
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 6, 2021
Never mind that numerous CNN and MSNBC hosts remain on air despite having spent years promoting the debunked Russian collusion delusion hoax and conspiracy theory.
Dobbs’ fans meanwhile assert that, by cancelling him, Fox News is essentially cancelling itself, especially given as he’d been the network’s highest-rated show:
Lou Dobbs. The very best. Smartest voice on television. Had the highest rated show, by far, on his network. Had the highest rated show on the network he was on before FOX too, and the network before that. FOX in a tailspin. @LouDobbs #loudobbs pic.twitter.com/1YA657OxY1
— MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) February 6, 2021
FOX explantion for cancelling Lou Dobbs: “FOX News Media regularly considers programming changes.” Note to FOX – what most networks do is cancel their lowest rated shows, not the highest rated shows that are number one on their network. Just a suggestion. #loudobbs
— MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) February 6, 2021
Fox News just can’t help itself from committing media suicide.
— Tony The Patriot (@TonyPatriots) February 6, 2021
Anymore, watching Fox is like watching old uncle Joe,,, deteriorating before our eyes and ears. The difference is he cannot help it, Fox is committing suicide.
— Pam leon (@Pamleon16) February 6, 2021
Time to tune out fox and go with Newsmax and oan
— Rick Cadena (@rcadena680) February 6, 2021
To the latter Twitter user’s point, the ratings for OANN and Newsmax have been skyrocketing in recent months, whereas the ratings for Fox News have decreased due to viewers’ dissatisfaction with the network.
Former President Trump also reportedly responded to Dobbs’ cancellation, albeit not with any direct, pointed criticism at Fox News — but rather with the following cryptic statement, which earned a thanks from Dobbs:
“Lou Dobbs is and was great. Nobody loves America more than Lou. He had a large and loyal following that will be watching closely for his next move, and that following includes me,” Trump reportedly said.
Thanks for your kind words Mr.President. God bless you and all the American patriots who make this country great. https://t.co/7aPPQMl898
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) February 6, 2021
See what he did there? He left the subtle suggestion that he could be permanently switching to OANN and Newsmax for his news if and when Dobbs signs up with them.
— Daniel Chaitin (@danielchaitin7) February 6, 2021
However, according to the Times, for the time being Dobbs is still signed with Fox News.
“Dobbs, 75, remains under contract at Fox News but he will in all likelihood not appear on the company’s networks again. In addition to his Fox Business Network program, he occasionally turned up on the Fox News Channel as a commentator,” the outlet reported.
His longtime supporters have nevertheless begun tweeting to him on Twitter, urging him to go ahead and make the transition now, if possible.
Look:
@LouDobbs move to OAN or Newsmax.. screw Fox.
— Kurt Belyeu (@kurtbelyeu) February 6, 2021
@LouDobbs Just as well u part with FOX. With Paul Ryan & ilk on board of directors, Fox is forsaking their conservative base for the illegitimate winners. Sincerely hope you move over to Newsmax or OAN or better yet jump on a new station called the T- Train. America First. MAGA!
— David Young (@DavidYo70603585) February 6, 2021
This is great news that @FoxNews
Cancelled @LouDobbs. This is a MAJOR opportunity for @newsmax to pick him up.#LouDobbs #Newsmax #FoxNews— JLazz (@JLazz3) February 6, 2021
Hey @newsmax I know where you can get a world class anchor to replace that Bob Sellers guy. @LouDobbs https://t.co/gSBseLkenT
— Babe Elder (@babe_elder) February 6, 2021
As to which network Dobbs would choose, Newsmax is home to another former Fox News host, Bill O’Reilly, who last year began hosting the “No Spin News.”
Many others chimed in on Twitter with their praises for Dobbs and support for his future endeavors:
God bless @LouDobbs – a great American and a great broadcaster. He was one of the true conservatives in “conservative” broadcasting.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 6, 2021
Thank you for your kind words! https://t.co/yVnGP4dgZh
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) February 6, 2021
He’s a Patriot.
He speaks the Truth.
He doesn’t back down.
That’s why @FoxNews had to cancel @LouDobbs. #FOXisFinished pic.twitter.com/nLyx0EYXhZ
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) February 6, 2021
@LouDobbs, you won’t be missed simply because we will still follow you! Keep up the great journalistic work. Whatever your endeavors may consist of now, I personally wish you nothing but the absolute best, sir!
— Danny Ivers (@divers) February 6, 2021
.@LouDobbs is a good man and always treated me with immense kindness and generosity. I was supposed to come on his show in the next few weeks and am sad to see it has been canceled. He has been in the business for decades and I hope to see him on air again soon.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) February 6, 2021
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