Lou Dobbs, Conservative Pundit and Former CNN Host, Dies at 78

Lou Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and longtime host of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” on CNN and then Fox Business Network, has died. He was 78.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘The Great Lou Dobbs,'” reads a post on Dobbs’ X account. “Lou was a fighter till the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country. Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife Debu, children and grandchildren.”

Dobbs was a commentator, author and host of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” which originally premiered on CNN in 1980 as “Moneyline.” Dobbs anchored the series and served as CNN’s chief economics correspondent, later taking on the role of executive vice president at the cable news channel.

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As “Moneyline” evolved into a more opinion-based program, it was renamed to “Lou Dobbs Moneyline” and then “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” which Dobbs presented from 2003 until he left CNN in 2009. He moved to Fox Business Network in 2011 and started up a new iteration of “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” which was canceled in 2021 after Fox was hit with a defamation lawsuit from voting machine vendor Smartmatic, following comments made on-air by Dobbs and other commentators. Dobbs was also named in the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, which Fox settled for $787.5 million. “Lou Dobbs Tonight” returned as a streaming program on Lindell TV in January 2024.

Donald Trump commemorated Dobbs, who showed staunch support for the former president, on Truth Social. “The Great Lou Dobbs has just passed away — A friend, and truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent,”Trump wrote. “He understood the World, and what was ‘happening,’ better than others. Lou was unique in so many ways, and loved our Country. Our warmest condolences to his wonderful wife, Debi, and family. He will be greatly missed!”

Dobbs was born in Childress County, Texas, in 1945 and attended Harvard University. He began his career in journalism in 1970 as a police and fire reporter for Arizona’s KBLU. He went on to become a TV anchor and reporter in Phoenix and then relocated to Seattle.

He joined CNN when it launched in 1980 and worked in high-powered positions at the cabler until 2009. During the Barack Obama administration, Dobbs promoted Birtherism, the false claim that the former president was not born in the U.S. He held strong anti-immigration views and supported Trump until the very end, posting on X about the former president just hours before his death.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs,” said Fox News Media in a statement. “An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry. We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”