Longtime Fox News host Shepard Smith announced that he is stepping down as chief news anchor and leaving the network.
Smith, 55, said that he asked Fox to allow him to leave.
“The opportunities afforded this guy from a small town in Mississippi have been many,” he added. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective.”
He added: “I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to have anchored their work each day—I will deeply miss them.”
Wallace continued: “We are proud of the signature reporting and anchoring style he honed at Fox News, along with everything he accomplished here during his monumental 23-year tenure. While this day is especially difficult as his former producer, we respect his decision and are deeply grateful for his immense contributions to the entire network.”
Fox News’ Neil Cavuto said that he was stunned by Smith’s departure.
“I’m a little stunned and a little heartbroken. I don’t know what to say,” he remarked on his show.
The Journal noted that Smith often took shots at opinion hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson. About a month ago, Smith and Carlson criticized each other on their respective shows.
Carlson was critical of statements made by Andrew Napolitano on Smith’s show about the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
Smith then responded in turn that “attacking our colleague, who is here to offer legal assessments, on our air in our work home is repugnant,” the newspaper reported.