Fox News anchor Chris Wallace announced he is leaving the network, ending his 18-year-long run of hosting “Fox News Sunday.”
Wallace announced his departure on the Sunday morning program that he hosts.
“After 18 years—this is my final Fox News Sunday,” Wallace said. “It is the last time—and I say this with real sadness—we will meet like this.”
Without elaborating on his decision, Wallace said that the move to leave was his decision. He thanked his bosses at Fox News for not interfering with his interviews or commentary, which has been increasingly criticized as biased in recent years by Republicans and President Donald Trump.
“Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise,” Wallace, the son of CBS correspondent Mike Wallace, continued in his statement. “I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account.”
After his announcement, Wallace confirmed he’s joining CNN despite recent controversies surrounding former anchor Chris Cuomo and the recent arrest of a CNN producer on alleged sex crimes.
Wallace will join CNN+, the news organization’s streaming product that’s launching next year, and will host a show that interviews celebrities, politicians, business leaders, and sports figures, according to CNN in a news release.
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape—and finding new ways to tell stories,” Wallace said in a statement provided by CNN.
Known for his interviews with high-profile individuals, Wallace also became a staple of Fox News’ election coverage and moderated several presidential debates, including the 2016 contest between Hillary Clinton and Trump as well as Trump’s debate with then-candidate Joe Biden last year.
“It’s been a great ride. We’ve covered five presidential elections, interviewed every president since George H.W. Bush traveled the world’s sitting down with France’s Emmanuel Macron and Russia’s Vladimir Putin,“ his statement continued. ”And I’ve gotten to spend Sunday mornings with you. It may sound corny, but I feel we built a community here.”
Wallace first joined Fox in 2003, having previously worked at ABC News and NBC News.
He added: “There’s a lot you can do on Sunday mornings, the fact you’ve chosen to spend this hour with us is something I cherish. But after 18 years, I have decided to leave Fox. I want to try something new to go beyond politics, to all the things I’m interested in. I’m ready for a new adventure. And I hope you’ll check it out.”
Fox News confirmed the move in a statement on Sunday. A rotating slate of hosts will replace Wallace until a permanent host is named.
“We are extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years. The legacy of Fox News Sunday will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named,” the network said.
