In a recently resurfaced video from last year, longtime Neil Cavuto announced his departure from Fox News after nearly 30 years, expressing gratitude for the support he received amid health battles. He emphasized fair journalism, and graciously thanked his crew, dismissed negativity, urged unity over division, and signed off with warm holiday wishes while planning to continue in the media.
Though from last year, the clip remains relevant as we have seen a great many retirements in recent months: both Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell have announced their intention to step away from politics. Additionally, in recent months, many conservatives have grown unhappy with Fox News as the network has turned against the president, making Cavuto’s decision to step away when he did seem all the more prescient and timely.
In any case, Cavuto began his announcement with typical good humor. “This is it, the final segment. But today, I also wanted to let you know, this is my final show. I am leaving Fox. I’ve been planning this day for some time. This just seemed like a good time. Now, some of you might be thinking, well, nearly and it’s about time, after all, I’ve been doing this for nearly three decades.”
Continuing his commentary, he added, “I might have been unlucky in health, but very lucky for the support I got here and the things I got to do here because I got to do what I love to do, report the news. not shout the news, not blast the news, not well, call names, just call balls and strikes. Following the news to hold truth to power and fairness to all. That’s it.”
Pivoting to his staff, Cavuto noted, “But while you see me, you really don’t see the people behind me, the producers and writers and cameramen and directors across three shows all these years carrying me, and that can be a pretty heavy lift, so blame them if I said something that ticked you off.”
Pivoting, he declared, “All the stuff that divides us or the nastiness that embitters us, but the far more important stuff that unites us and defines us and lifts us. I tried to appeal to those better angels, and I’m grateful you gave me that chance.”
Wrapping up his heartfelt comments, the Fox News anchor thanked the audience. “That is why I say goodbye with only good thoughts and good wishes. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. May the New Year be as fulfilling for you, as these nearly 30 Incredible Years, you blessed me. That means a lot. You do, too. Thank you,” he concluded.
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Watch the clip here:
President Trump, for his part, has been in a growing, if still minor, feud with Fox News. Explaining his recent controversy with the network, the president noted, “One thing I don’t like about Fox is their pollster. Total fake. Their pollsters are the worst. They’ve been saying they’re gonna get rid of them for 10 years. The fake pollster. Then you have the election, you win by numbers that are like through the roof.”
Featured image from embedded video