Lou Dobbs, a television anchor and business news analyst with more than five decades of broadcast experience, died this week at the age of 78.
The cause of death was not immediately known. His passing was first announced by former President Donald Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Dobbs helped launch two cable news channels, joining CNN upon its debut in 1980 and spending the bulk of his TV career there. In 1995, Dobbs heled then-CNN parent company Turner Broadcasting to debut a new business news outlet, called CNN Financial Network (CNN FN), that aimed to take on CNBC and Bloomberg. Dobbs served as president and lead anchor on the network until it closed in 2004.
“Lou was one of the CNN originals, who helped launch and shape the network,” a CNN spokesperson said on Thursday. “We are saddened to hear about his passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife Debi, children and his family.”
His second attempt at helping to launch a TV news network focused on business reporting proved to be more-successful at Fox Corporation, where he was instrumental in helping Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes establish the Fox Business Network, which continues to this day. He worked for Fox Business until 2021, spending the rest of his years as the host of “The Great American Show” on talk radio.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs,” a spokesperson for Fox News Media told The Desk by email. “An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry. We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
In his final years, Dobbs positioned himself as a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, giving the Republican a platform to air his perspective on controversial political and social issues, including immigration.
“He understood the world, and what was ‘happening,’ better than others,” Trump wrote on his social platform Thursday evening. “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.”
