In a saddening announcement, it was revealed on Thursday that Lou Dobbs, the prominent business news anchor and fervent supporter of former President Donald Trump, had passed away at the age of 78. A statement posted on Dobbs' official social media account conveyed the news, referring to him as "the great Lou Dobbs" and praising his perseverance as a "fighter till the very end."

Dobbs had an illustrious career in broadcast journalism, spending over two decades as a key figure at CNN, where he was part of the network's inception in 1980 and famously anchored the program "Moneyline." In 2009, Dobbs left CNN to assist media mogul Rupert Murdoch in launching the Fox Business Network.

CNN, recognizing Dobbs' significant contributions to the network, expressed their condolences upon learning of his passing. A spokesperson stated, "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."

During Donald Trump's rise within the Republican Party, Dobbs emerged as one of his most ardent supporters, utilizing his program to advocate against immigration and criticize what he termed the "deep state." In the latter part of his career, Dobbs became known for promoting misinformation and conspiracy theories, aligning himself closely with Trump's messaging. The former president often praised Dobbs, regularly sharing clips of his show on his own social media channels.

Trump took to social media on Thursday to pay tribute to his ally, describing Dobbs as a friend and "truly incredible journalist, reporter, and talent." Trump commended Dobbs for his superior understanding of global events, emphasizing his unique qualities and love for the country. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to Dobbs' wife, Debi, and the rest of his family, acknowledging the immense loss.

Following the 2020 election, Dobbs utilized his Fox Business program to repeatedly propagate baseless conspiracy theories, alleging that the vote had been manipulated by obscure companies, causing millions of votes to shift from Trump to Joe Biden. These remarks prompted Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, two voting technology companies, to file defamation suits against Fox News. While Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion for over $787 million, Smartmatic's lawsuit, which specifically named Dobbs as a defendant, remains ongoing.

After the lawsuits were initiated, Fox Business unexpectedly canceled Dobbs' show, removing him from the airwaves in a sudden decision announced in February 2021. In response to the Smartmatic case, Dobbs' legal representation maintained that he denied any involvement in a disinformation campaign and highlighted his right to engage in opinion commentary on matters of public interest, protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Fox News, on the day of Dobbs' passing, praised the veteran anchor and offered their condolences to his family. A spokesperson from Fox News Media expressed deep sadness, acknowledging Dobbs' remarkable business acumen and broadcasting skills, emphasizing his instrumental role in pioneering the success and influence of cable news. The network conveyed their immense gratitude for his many contributions and extended their heartfelt sympathies to his loved ones.