Nationally syndicated radio and podcast host, former cop, and now-former Fox News Channel host Dan Bongino just confirmed on Thursday that he had decided to part ways with Fox News Channel after negotiations between it and him came up short.
Bongino made the announcement about his role at Fox News Channel during a Thursday episode of his podcast. During the show, he explained that while FNC had been good to him over the past years and that there was no animosity between it and him, negotiations simply hadn’t worked out. Speaking on that, he said:
“The show ending last week was tough. It’s not some big conspiracy theory, I promise you. There’s no acrimony…We just couldn’t come to terms on an extension. That’s really it. I really enjoyed myself there. They were good for me for ten years…It’s a sad day. They did give me the opportunity to do one last show, I don’t want you to think they showed me the door. That’s on me, not on them, but I thought it was best to go this way for now.”
He went on to add that the reason for his exit was not Fox News’ recent settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over claims made during and after the contentious 2020 election.
Bongino had hosted, before his exit, two shows for Fox News. One was a Saturday evening show on Fox News Channel called “Unfiltered” and the other was a Fox Nation, the network’s subscription platform, show called “Canceled in the USA.”
Fox News, for its part, said “We thank Dan for his contributions and wish him success in his future endeavors.” It also said that, while his programs are being canceled, Dan Bongino might appear as a guest on other Fox News programs in the future.
Forbes suggested in a report on the subject that bad ratings were not likely the cause for the split, as Bongino’s Saturday show on Fox News Channel regularly topped the ratings. In fact, it regularly took the top spot in prime time during the first quarter of 2023.
For now, Fox News will replace Saturday night’s “Unfiltered” with “Lawrence Jones Cross Country.” The network plans to announce a permanent replacement in the coming weeks.
In addition to being a conservative commentation for over a decade now, Bongino has tried and failed multiple times to be an elected representative. Ballotopedia, summarizing his political career, said:
Dan Bongino was a 2016 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 19th Congressional District of Florida.[1] Bongino was defeated by Francis Rooney in the Republican primary on August 30, 2016.[2]
Bongino was a 2014 Republican candidate for United States House of Representatives in the 2014 elections. He ran in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.[3] He was defeated by incumbent John Delaney (D) in the general election on November 4, 2014.[4] He won the nomination in the Republican primary on June 24, 2014.[5]
Bongino was also a 2012 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from Maryland. He lost to incumbent Ben Cardin on November 6, 2012
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