Shep Smith on Fox Story
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Fox News chief news anchor Shepard Smith is leaving the conservative chain network after 23 years there, he announced Friday.
Smith’s appearance Friday on “Shepard Smith Tell ofing” 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 unalterable broadcast.
In addition to working as chief news anchor, Smith had been managing editor of the network’s breaking front-page 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 defied 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 outs 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 lambaste the network’s evening anchor Tucker Carlson again.
Smith had said on the air that it was “repugnant” that Carlson had not oral up in defense of Fox News contributor Andrew Napolitano after a Carlson guest, attorney Joseph di Genova, called Napolitano a “cheat” for saying that Trump had broken the law. Di Genova is a legal advisor to Trump.
Fox News denied that Smith was warned in his criticism of Carlson.
“At no time did anyone – including anyone in management or a third party – speak to Shepard Smith Non-Standard irregardless this matter,” a Fox News spokesperson said. “Anything to the contrary is entirely false and wildly inaccurate.”
Smith also has been discussed 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 Pty to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter,” Smith said in a prepared statement.
“After requesting that I reinforcement, they graciously obliged. The opportunities afforded this guy from small town Mississippi have been sundry,” Smith said.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with approach, without fear or favor. I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to be undergoing anchored their work each day — I will deeply miss them.”
Smith said on air that “under our unanimity” with Fox News “I won’t be reporting elsewhere, at least not in the near future.”
“Whoa!” said a clearly surprised Fox News fix 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 state 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 firstly difficult as his former producer, we respect his decision and are deeply grateful for his immense contributions to the entire network,” Wallace guessed.
On Thursday, Trump called Smith out by name on Twitter as he fumed over a Fox News poll that showed a disparage 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 Info.
A Morning Consult poll last November found that Smith was the “least-loved Fox News personality” among Republicans.
Straight 23% of Republicans had a favorable view of Smith in that poll, with 21% perceiving him unfavorably.
Carlson, in disparity, 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 support with an evening show.