Veteran host Chris Wallace closed his “Fox News Sunday” show after 18 years to join CNN’s new webcasting service. CNN’s announcement that Wallace will join CNN + as a host came two hours after his last show on Fox. The streaming service is expected to debut in early 2022.
“This is the last time, and I say it with real sadness, that we will see each other like this,” said Wallace, 74, on his show. “Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me that they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise.
“Wallace was a veteran journalist who worked at ABC and NBC News before the late Roger Ailes brought him to Fox with the promise of his own Sunday show. Methodical and never flashy, unlike his father Mike, the legendary “60 Minutes” reporter, Chris Wallace was known for his methodical preparation and willingness to ask difficult questions of all guests.
He was the first Fox News personality to moderate a presidential debate, and he did so in 2016 and 2020. The debate he moderated last year was derailed when then-President Donald Trump repeatedly interrupted Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
“He’s the toughest interviewer in the television business, based on intense preparation and easy persistence,” said Howard Kurtz, host of Fox’s “Media Buzz.”
“He has the kind of seasoned judgment that only comes from so many years. to cover political issues and may be the best moderator of debates of all time ”. Kurtz said it’s “a great loss to Fox News, without question.
“The announcement of his departure even took guests on his Sunday show by surprise; they were not warned in advance. Fox said several guest news anchors will replace Wallace until a permanent anchor is appointed. CNN said more details on Wallace’s new role will be released shortly.