Political commentator Lou Dobbs passed away Thursday at the age of 78, Breitbart reported. Former President Donald Trump fondly remembered the veteran broadcaster who was fired after supporting his claims of voting machine fraud.
Trump eulogized Dobbs, who was a loyal supporter, in a post to Truth Social Thursday. “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!" the former president added.
According to CNN, Dobbs started at the network as one of the original broadcasters in 1980. His Moneyline program was a mainstay at CNN for nearly three decades.
Dobbs left in 2009 to join Rupert Murdoch’s new Fox Business News network. It was there that he would ultimately become a voice for the conservative movement and an ally for Trump.
During the Trump era, Dobbs echoed many of his opinions on air, including Trump’s opposition to illegal immigration and the “deep state.” The veteran news personality would also join Trump in questioning the validity of the 2020 presidential election results.
On his Fox Business program Lou Dobbs Tonight, he spoke about the possibility that the machines flipped votes to elect Joe Biden as president. It was a suspicion that the former president and many of his supporters shared.
Unfortunately, the theories became part of a defamation lawsuit against Fox. The network ultimately paid the tech companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic upwards of $787 million.
Dobbs was caught up in the defamation lawsuits for comments he made on air. In February 2021, Fox Business abruptly pulled Dobbs’ show over of the legal battles.
At the time, attorneys for Dobbs argued that he “denies the allegations of a disinformation camapaign” against Smartmatic. They also claimed he “engages in opinion commentary on issues of public interest, which is right under the U.S. Constitution.”
Still, the media company paid the price and Dobbs was cut loose. Despite his contentious exit, a Fox News Media spokesperson expressed “heartfelt condolences to his family” following news of his death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs. An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry,” the spokesperson said.
It’s unfortunate that his career at Fox ended on a sour note. However, to those who trusted his heart and voice, it took nothing away from his legacy.
