Neil Cavuto, a business journalist at Fox News Channel whose weekday afternoon news show frequently annoyed President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters, left the network after 28 years following a final show on Thursday.
A workhorse who had been with Fox since its inception in 1996, Cavuto also hosted programs at Fox’s sister, the Fox Business Network, and was not considered one of the stable of opinion hosts.
His final show briskly moved through a succession of news stories, including the potential for a government funding deal, stock market fluctuations and a strike by Amazon workers.
He addressed his exit at the end, thanking Fox for his years on the network but saying that “I’m not leaving journalism. I’m just leaving here.”
“I got to do what I love here — report the news, not shout the news, not blast the news,” he said, adding that his goal was to “tell truth to power and fairness to all. That’s me.”
He thanked viewers, while noting the ones who wrote to suggest he do things “that I think were anatomically impossible to do.”
Fox said in a statement: “Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism and we’re extremely proud of his incredible 28-year run with Fox News Media.
His programs have defined business news and set the standard for the entire industry. We wish him a heartfelt farewell and all the best on his next chapter.”
Fox News legend Neil Cavuto to exit network after 28 years leaving viewers devastated
The departure of the 68-year-old, who has hosted the afternoon program Your World since its launch in 1996, was announced abruptly on Thursday morning.
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Veteran Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto is leaving the network after 28 yearsCredit: Getty
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Cavuto gave an emotional sign-off at the end of his final showCredit: FOX News
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Cavuto has been with the network since its founding in 1996Credit: Getty
Cavuto has also hosted Cavuto: Coast to Coast on Fox Business Network.
Fox News confirmed his final day on air will be Thursday, December 19.
No official reason has been given for the departure, but sources say Cavuto declined a new contract offered by the network.
“Neil Cavuto’s illustrious career has been a master class in journalism and we’re extremely proud of his incredible 28-year run with Fox News Media,” a Fox News spokesperson told The U.S. Sun
“His programs have defined business news and set the standard for the entire industry.
“We wish him a heartfelt farewell and all the best on his next chapter.”
Cavuto did not respond immediately to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
In 1997, Cavuto was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, after beating stage-4 Hodgkin’s Disease in the 1980s.
He has hosted a number of events raising awareness of MS over the years, drawing praise for his efforts.
Cavuto gave an emotional sign-off to viewers at the end of his final show on the network on Thursday evening.
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Joking that some of his coworkers “weren’t even born” when he started his show three decades ago, he thanked “most of” his viewers for their support over the years.
He also acknowledged his ongoing health problems as his voice cracked at times during the short address.
Current and former co-workers have praised the veteran anchor in the wake of the announcement.
Howard Kurtz, a Fox News host, paid tribute to Cavuto’s long and successful media career, as well as his battles against health issues.
“He has made enormous contributions, while battling serious health problems,” he wrote on X.
“But he is also a first-class human being who is gracious to everyone, whether they are high or low on the totem pole. We will miss him!”
Fox & Friends host Janice Dean also took to X in the wake of the news, describing him as a “hero,” and saying she would “miss seeing” him in the office.
“When I was diagnosed with MS almost 20 years ago he gave me hope that I could still pursue my dreams,” she wrote.
“Always kind, generous, and an inspiration. Grateful to call him a friend.”
Sean Graf, a political adviser and presenter, wrote on X, “Love @TeamCavuto! It was an HONOR to work for him for 4 years.”
Cavuto is also a former CNBC anchor, where he hosted the channel’s Market Wrap for a number of years, and contributed to NBC News.
In recent years he was a high-profile critic of President-elect Donald Trump, facing occasional attacks from the Republican politician.
Cavuto was one of the final original Fox News stars still on the network since 1996.
Primetime host Sean Hannity is one of the last anchors remaining from launch, along with Fox & Friends’s Steve Doocy.
Brit Hume, a former anchor and Fox contributor, is another remaining originator.
