(CNC) - Longtime business news journalist Lou Dobbs, who rose to prominence as one of the media's most vociferous advocates of Donald Trump, passed away on Thursday. He was eighty-eight.
A statement on his official social media account said, "It's with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of 'the great Lou Dobbs,'" referring to him as a "fighter till the very end."
Dobbs enjoyed a long career in broadcast journalism, working for more than 20 years as the anchor of CNN's "Moneyline" program since the network's founding in 1980. In order to assist media tycoon Rupert Murdoch in launching the Fox Business Network, Dobbs quit CNN in 2009.
Lou was a founding member of CNN who contributed to the network's conception and development. A CNN representative said, "We are sorry to learn of his demise and offer our deepest condolences to his wife Debi, children, and his family.
Dobbs became one of Donald Trump's most devoted followers as he rose through the ranks of the Republican Party, using his show to push anti-immigrant rhetoric and criticize the so-called "deep state."
The seasoned anchor, who was one of Trump's biggest supporters on television, devoted the last portion of his career to endorsing conspiracy theories and torrents of false information about the then-president.
In response, Trump frequently complimented Dobbs and shared snippets of his broadcast on social media. As a buddy and a "truly incredible journalist, reporter, and talent," Dobbs was complimented by Trump on Thursday.
Trump posted on social media, saying, "He understood the World, and what was 'happening,' better than others." "Lou loved our country and was exceptional in so many ways. We send our deepest sympathies to his amazing wife, Debi, and their family. He will be sorely missed.
Following the 2020 election, Dobbs frequently spread baseless conspiracy theories on his Fox Business program, claiming that millions of votes were rigged by mysterious companies to favor Joe Biden over Trump.
Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, two voting technology companies, sued Fox News for defamation after these on-air remarks. Last year, Fox News and Dominion reached a settlement worth over $787 million. However, Smartmatic's lawsuit is still pending and specifically names Dobbs as a defendant.
Following the filing of the cases, Fox Business abruptly announced on a Friday in February 2021 that it was canceling Dobbs' show and removing him off the air.
Dobbs "denies the allegation of a disinformation campaign," according to his attorneys, and he "engages in opinion commentary on issues of public interest, which is his right under the U.S. Constitution," according to their earlier statements in the Smartmatic case.
Fox News honored the seasoned anchor on Thursday and sent its sympathies to his family.
"We are extremely devastated by Lou Dobbs' loss. A Fox News Media representative described Lou as "an incredible businessman with a gift for broadcasting who helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry." "We extend our sincere sympathies to his family and are incredibly appreciative of all that he has contributed."
