The Real Reason Why Veteran Fox News Host Neil Cavuto Left After Almost 30 Years on the Network
Neil Cavuto, a stalwart of Fox News for nearly three decades, bid farewell to the network on Thursday, marking the end of an era that began when the channel launched in 1996. His departure has sparked discussions about the shifting landscape of cable news, particularly in the context of the evolving Republican Party and the influence of Donald Trump.
Cavuto’s exit was reportedly influenced by a combination of factors, including a rumored refusal to sign a new contract that would have significantly reduced his salary. While he described the offer as a “very generous opportunity” during his final broadcast, insiders suggest that the network was looking to cut costs, a trend that has been observed across various media outlets, including CNN and MSNBC. The LA Times noted that Cavuto’s new contract would have likely been a cost-cutting measure, reflecting a broader industry shift towards budget tightening.
Despite Fox News’s continued dominance in cable ratings and its impressive profitability—reportedly generating over a billion dollars annually—Cavuto’s departure highlights the internal pressures faced by veteran journalists in an increasingly polarized media environment. As Oliver Darcy pointed out in his Status newsletter, Cavuto’s long tenure and dedication to the network likely made the prospect of a pay cut particularly stinging for him.
One of the most significant factors contributing to Cavuto’s exit is his position as one of the few remaining Trump-skeptical voices at Fox News. Since Trump ascended to the presidency in 2016, the network has increasingly aligned itself with his brand of conservatism, leading to the departure of other critical figures like Shepard Smith and Chris Wallace. Cavuto’s willingness to challenge Trump, particularly on issues like COVID-19 and vaccine skepticism, set him apart in a network that has largely embraced the former president’s narrative.
Trump himself took to Truth Social to celebrate Cavuto’s exit, labeling him “the Lowest Rated Anchor on Fox” and suggesting that his departure was long overdue. This public dismissal underscores the tension between Cavuto’s journalistic integrity and the network’s evolving editorial stance, which has increasingly favored pro-Trump rhetoric.
Cavuto’s programming was known for its critical approach to various political issues, including his vocal opposition to COVID-19 vaccine denialism. After battling the virus himself, which nearly claimed his life, Cavuto became an advocate for vaccination, a stance that put him at odds with many of his colleagues and the broader conservative media landscape. His criticism of Trump during the pandemic, particularly regarding the promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment, further alienated him from the network’s more Trump-aligned personalities.
The Murdoch family, which owns Fox News, and CEO Suzanne Scott likely viewed Cavuto’s critical stance as a liability, especially with the upcoming 2024 election cycle. As the network prepares for a new lineup, it seems they are opting for anchors who align more closely with the prevailing pro-Trump sentiment, potentially sacrificing journalistic diversity for higher ratings and fewer controversies.
Cavuto’s departure is emblematic of a larger trend in cable news, where veteran journalists are either leaving or being pushed out in favor of younger, more compliant voices. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the media landscape, where ratings often take precedence over journalistic integrity. The recent exits of other prominent figures, such as CNN’s Gloria Borger and Alisyn Camerota, further illustrate the challenges faced by seasoned journalists in an industry increasingly driven by profit margins and audience engagement.
As Cavuto steps away from the spotlight, he leaves behind a legacy of journalistic excellence that has shaped business news at Fox. His programs, including “Your World” and “Cavuto Live,” have set industry standards and provided a platform for critical discussions on economic and political issues. Fox News has announced that a series of rotating anchors will fill the void left by Cavuto until a permanent replacement is named in the new year.
In conclusion, Neil Cavuto’s departure from Fox News is a multifaceted issue rooted in the changing dynamics of the Republican Party, the influence of Donald Trump, and the broader trends in cable news. As the media landscape continues to evolve, Cavuto’s exit serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by journalists who strive to maintain their integrity in an increasingly polarized environment.
Real reason why veteran Fox News host left after almost 30 years on network
Neil Cavuto was forced to leave Fox News because his show was a ‘wormhole to another time’ before Donald Trump took over the Republican Party.
The anchor, 66, ended his 28-year tenure at the network on Thursday afternoon.
It was rumored Cavuto declined to sign a new contract, which was described as ‘a very generous opportunity’ by the star on his last show.
It is believed, however, that Cavuto may have been the latest cable news anchor to be asked to take less money, after similar reports of CNN and MSNBC talent getting their wages cut have emerged in recent weeks.
However, Fox News has remained at the top of the cable ratings every week and reportedly delivers over a billion dollars in profit each year.
‘For someone who has been at the channel since its inception in 1996, and who has poured his heart and soul into the company, that probably stung just a bit,’ Oliver Darcy reported in his Status newsletter.
The LA Times also suggested that Cavuto’s new contract would’ve been for less in a cost-cutting move.
The bigger problem is Cavuto being one of the few Trump-skeptical voices remaining on the network after the defections of Shepard Smith and Chris Wallace in recent years.
Neil Cavuto was forced to leave Fox News because his show was a ‘wormhole to another time’ before Donald Trump took over the Republican Party
Cavuto is one of the few Trump-skeptical voices remaining on the network after the defections of Shepard Smith and Chris Wallace in recent years
After Trump became the standard-bearer in 2016, conservative media became more in line with him.
‘Donald Trump not only remade the Republican Party in his own image, but he also remade the right-wing media landscape in it too. Fox News’ 2024 lineup is a reflection of that,’ Darcy claims.
Trump himself celebrated Cavuto’s exit from the network in a Truth Social post following the announcement.
He wrote: ‘GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICA! Neil Cavuto, the Lowest Rated Anchor on Fox, by far, is leaving – Should have happened a long time ago!’
The Murdoch family and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott likely stood to spend less money on someone who would get higher ratings and cause less of a problem with the incoming president.
In a statement, Fox News said: ‘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.’
His programming has become known for his willingness to call out President-elect Donald Trump and was often a target of Trump.
The Murdoch family and Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott likely stood to spend less money on someone who would get higher ratings and cause less of a problem with the incoming president
Cavuto was a vocal critic of frequent Covid vaccine denialism especially after a second bout of the virus that nearly claimed his life.
In September of this year Trump attacked Cavuto as being ‘one of the WORST on television’ after Cavuto said he lost the debate against Kamala Harris.
In a Truth Social post, he said: ‘Neil Cavuto, Fox’s Lowest Rated Anchor, is one of the WORST on Television. I actually prefer the losers at CNN and MSDNC.’
Cavuto also went after the president-elect in 2020 after he promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid.
Trump went on a Twitter rant claiming the network had ‘more anti-Trump people, by far, than ever before’.
His former Fox colleague and conservative firebrand Tucker Carlson also had a dig at him in 2020 after he cut off then White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
McEnany had been repeating Trump’s claims of illegal voting when Cavuto decided to cut away, much to the annoyance of Carlson who called it media censorship.
In 1997 he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had undergone open-heart surgery in 2016.
Cavuto also went after the president-elect in 2020 after he promoted the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for Covid
He helped launch ‘Your World’ when the network first went live in 1996 and later spearheaded ‘Cavuto Live’ in 2018.
The network said that a series of rotating anchors would take over from Cavuto until a new show was announced in the new year.
His departure comes amid general budget-tightening across cable news networks including the likes of CNN.
Star journalists have been departing several networks as opposed to taking smaller salaries.
Just this week senior CNN staffer Gloria Borger announced her plans to leave the company after 17 years.
Her exit came just days after CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota abruptly signed off for the last time after a decade with the station.
Weeks before, execs cut ties with veteran Chris Wallace, whom days earlier insiders had said would have likely been on the receiving end of a pay cut if he decided to stay. The 77-year-old had reportedly been making $7 million-a-year.
