Fox News viewers received a shock when top weekend host Dan Bongino announced he is parting ways with the network.
The former NYPD detective and Secret Service agent, known for his brash commentary, said there was a disagreement over his contract and that he was leaving on amicable terms.
But the timing of the news led to speculation that Fox News’ high-profile legal dispute with Dominion Voting Systems was a factor, and some claimed the Unfiltered host was fired.
Bongino shared an article in Forbes dismissing these "conspiracy theories," which he had appeared to anticipate during his sign-off on the Dan Bongino Show Thursday.
“It’s not some big conspiracy,” Bongino said on his podcast. "There’s no acrimony. This wasn’t like some WWE brawl that happened. We just couldn’t come to terms on an extension.”
The pundit said he was offered the chance to do one last show Saturday, but he declined. Fox News will replace Bongino’s hour with Lawrence Jones Cross Country.
“We thank Dan for his contributions and wish him success in his future endeavors,” Fox said in a statement Thursday.
The host will no longer appear on Fox's subscription service Fox Nation, either. But he may appear as a guest, Fox said.
Bongino’s Fox News show Unfiltered with Dan Bongino launched in 2021 and became a ratings hit, drawing 1.179 million viewers on his final broadcast, Forbes reported. The host said it wasn’t easy saying goodbye to the network where he has been a familiar face for 10 years.
"It’s tough. It’s tough to say that. You know, I’ve been there doing hits and working there for ten years…so the show ending was tough," he said.
The news was also hard for many conservatives, some of whom speculated he was pushed out by the network's executives. Fox News alienated many viewers with its coverage of the 2020 presidential election, which became the subject of the network's Dominion lawsuit.
Bongino said Fox has been "good to him," calling it a "sad day."
“I really enjoyed myself there and you know they were good to me for ten years. I mean they allowed me to do a show called ‘Unfiltered,’ did what we wanted to do over there and covered the topics we wanted to cover. And it’s a sad day. It’s a sad day,” he said.
