Lou Dobbs, the Fox Business commentator and cable news pioneer known for his unapologetic support of President Trump, has died. He was 78.
Dobbs' long media career spanned several decades at CNN and later, Fox Business, where he was a devoted backer of the 45th president. Dobb was unafraid to speak his mind on controversial issues, particularly mass immigration.
In a social media statement, Trump paid tribute to Dobbs, calling him a friend and a talented journalist.
"The Great Lou Dobbs has just passed away — A friend, and truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"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!" Trump added.
The Harvard-educated Dobbs won numerous awards for his journalism, including a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for Business News and a George Foster Peabody Award for his coverage of the 1987 stock market crash.
His media career launched at CNN in 1980 with the financial news program Moneyline, which evolved into a commentary program, Lou Dobbs Tonight.
By the time he abruptly left the network in 2009, Dobbs had become known for ruffling feathers with his comments about mass illegal immigration and Barack Obama's citizenship.
In a statement, CNN praised Dobbs for shaping the network in its infancy.
"Lou was one of the CNN originals, who helped launch and shape the network. We are saddened to hear about his passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife Debi, children and his family,” CNN said in a statement.
In 2011, Lou Dobbs Tonight found a new home at Fox Business Network, where Dobbs would remain until 2021.
While at Fox, Dobbs was a strong advocate for Trump and his policies, and Lou Dobbs Tonight became the highest rated show on Fox Business. The show was canceled after Dobbs was named in a lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems accusing Fox of lying about the 2020 election.
Fox News Media called Dobbs "an incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting" and a cable news pioneer.
“We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family," the statement said.
Most recently, Dobbs hosted the podcast The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs.
He is survived by his wife Debi and their four children.
