(KTLA) – Political commentator Lou Dobbs has died at the age of 78, former President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday.
Trump, whom Dobbs publicly supported, announced the passing on his Truth Social account.
“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!”
He hosted “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on FOX Business from 2011 to 2021, following two separate stints at CNN.
Fox News Media said in a statement that the network was saddened by Dobbs’ passing.
“An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry,” the statement said. “We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
Dobbs was named in a lawsuit against Fox News by Dominion Voting systems over lies told on the network about the 2020 presidential election. A mediator in 2023 pushed the two sides toward a $787 million settlement, averting a trial. A mountain of evidence — some damning, some merely embarrassing — showed many Fox executives and on-air talent didn’t believe allegations aired mostly on shows hosted by Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro. At the time, they feared angering Trump fans in the audience with the truth.
When he joined Fox Business, he said he considered himself the underdog. A few years later his show was highly rated and he was a key figure on the right-leaning network.
“We’ll focus on the American people, their standard of living … the American nation,” he said about his show in 2011. “Those are always my starting points.”
Dobbs’ Fox show was titled “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” the same as the one he left in 2009 after an awkward last few years at CNN. Once the most visible television business journalist with his “Moneyline” show in the 1990s, Dobbs made CNN management uneasy as he grew more opinionated and drew angry protests from Latinos for his emphasis on curbing illegal immigration.
Dobbs made headlines in recent years for his support of conservative causes.
He famously questioned if former President Barack Obama was born in the U.S. and prominently supported Trump and his policies during Trump’s term in the White House.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.