Neil Cavuto, a prominent business journalist at Fox News Channel, has departed from the network after nearly three decades. Cavuto hosted a weekday afternoon news program that often stirred discontent among President-elect Donald Trump and his base. His departure was marked by a final broadcast on Thursday, signaling the end of an era at Fox News.
Cavuto was a foundational figure at Fox, having joined the channel in 1996 when it first launched. In addition to his role at Fox News, he also hosted shows on Fox Business Network. Unlike many of his colleagues known for opinion-driven content, Cavuto was respected for his focus on news reporting. During his last show, he covered a variety of current events, including discussions on potential government funding agreements, fluctuations in the stock market, and ongoing labor disputes involving Amazon workers. As the program came to a close, Cavuto expressed his gratitude towards Fox, emphasizing that while he was leaving the network, he wasn’t stepping away from journalism. “I got to do what I love here — report the news, not shout the news, not blast the news,” he noted, highlighting his commitment to delivering fair and honest journalism.
Cavuto also acknowledged his viewers, including those who humorously suggested impossible tasks for him. In a statement following his exit, Fox News praised Cavuto’s impressive career, calling it a “master class in journalism” and expressing pride in his 28-year association with the network. They noted that his programs have played a significant role in shaping business news standards across the industry.
Cavuto’s relationship with Trump has been complicated; he had not interviewed the President-elect since 2017 and at times made comments that displeased him. In one instance, Cavuto described Trump’s performance in a debate against Kamala Harris as a “decisive loss,” which drew ire from Trump and his supporters. He publicly remarked over the summer that Trump’s perspective on the stock market fluctuated depending on its performance, claiming Trump credited market increases to optimism about his return to office, while attributing declines to Democratic policies.
Following Cavuto’s announcement, Trump took to social media, declaring in all-caps that Cavuto’s exit was “GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICA,” stating that it should have occurred much earlier. However, sources within Fox asserted that Cavuto’s departure was not politically motivated, emphasizing that it was simply a decision around contract renewal. Although he had been offered an extension, Cavuto opted not to continue, a choice he confirmed without elaborating on his reasons.
The television news landscape has faced financial challenges recently, prompting some high-profile personalities to consider leaving rather than accepting pay cuts. On Cavuto’s final show, guests paid tribute to him, with comments praising his integrity and independence as a journalist. Aishah Hasnie referred to him as a hero, while investor Ken Fisher offered his support as a friend.
At 66, Cavuto has endured various health challenges over the years, including multiple sclerosis, heart surgery, and long COVID symptoms. Fellow Fox colleague Janice Dean publicly credited him with inspiring her during her own MS diagnosis, sharing how his resilience empowered her pursuit of her dreams.
As of now, there has been no announcement regarding who will fill Cavuto’s 4 p.m. Eastern time slot on Fox, which is a strategically important time frame leading into the network’s most-watched program, “The Five.”