Longtime Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto hosted his final show on the network Thursday after failing to come to an agreement with the outlet on a contract extension.
During his final show, he informed the audience that he was departing the network and that it was his decision to do so.
“This is it, the final segment,” Cavuto shared. “But today I also wanted to let you know this is my final show. I’m leaving FOX. I’ve been planning this day for some time, this just seemed like a good time. Now, some of you might be thinking, ‘Well, Neil, it is about time!’ After all, I’ve been doing this for nearly three decades here. You know, there are people working with me now, who weren’t even born when I started at FOX — that’s how old I am.”
Cavuto, 66, added that he’ll continue in the news media business. It just won’t be at Fox News.
“But I’m not leaving journalism, I’m just leaving here. But I’m forever grateful to my bosses here. They have been very good to me these many years and offered a very generous opportunity for me to stay years more. That’s pretty amazing considering the fact that — I don’t know — I might have missed a day or two here and there battling everything for multiple sclerosis and COVID to countless infections, even open-heart surgery … I might’ve been unlucky in health, but very lucky for the support I got here and the things I got to do here because I got to do what I love to do, report the news. Not shout the news. Not blast the news. Not — well, call names, just call balls and strikes, following the news.”
Neil Cavuto concluded by sharing his appreciation for all of the messages from viewers — both good and bad — over his long career with Fox News.
“My dad used to tell me, ‘Neil, stay humble. Because, in your case, it will come in handy.’ I don’t think he would ever have imagined my incredible run, but I do think he’d remind me to thank those who made it possible, all of you. Ok, truth be told, most of you. I’m leaving out the nasty ones who called me fat, forgetting as I often said the camera adds 50 pounds until one dude saw me in person and said ‘you know, Neil, it wasn’t the camera!’ Or those who email that I knew things that I think that were anatomically impossible to do. I got a kick out of those.
“Actually, I got a kick out of them all. Let’s say you kept me grounded. My Irish mom used to say, ‘we should count our blessings and never forget who blessed us.’ In the end, that should be our focus and that is mine tonight … That is why I say goodbye with only good thoughts and good wishes. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. May the new year be as fulfilling for you as these nearly 30 incredible years you blessed me. It means a lot, you do too. Thank you and good night.”
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