WASHINGON, DC — Fox News anchor Chris Wallace announced Sunday that he was leaving Fox News. The announcement was made at the end of the Fox News Sunday, the news program he had hosted for 18 years.
"18 years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked, or a question I asked, and they kept that promise," said Wallace at the end of his show. "I have been free to report to the best of my ability... to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country's leaders to account..."
Hours after the broadcast, CNN announced that Wallace will be joining their network as an anchor for CNN+, the new streaming subscription service that is set to launch early 2022.
We’re thrilled to welcome Chris Wallace to CNN as an anchor for @CNNPlus. His new weekday show will feature interviews with newsmakers across politics, business, sports and culture & will contribute to CNN+’s slate of live programming available at launch. https://t.co/6dgFzBd2QT pic.twitter.com/h8djkxClsB
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) December 12, 2021
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape—and finding new ways to tell stories,” said Wallace in a statement released by CNN Sunday afternoon. “As I embark on this adventure, I am honored and delighted to join Jeff Zucker and his great team. I can’t wait to get started.”
Utah Senator Mitt Romney issued a statement from his personal Twitter account shortly after the announcement of his departure from Fox was made.
Thank you, Chris Wallace, for the years of truth & honesty. I trust that what’s in store for you will be rewarding & impactful but even if not, you’ve already served with uncommon grace & generosity of spirit. You kindled the passion of your dad & took it to even greater heights.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 12, 2021
"Thank you, Chris Wallace, for the years of truth & honesty," the statement reads. "I trust that what’s in store for you will be rewarding & impactful but even if not, you’ve already served with uncommon grace & generosity of spirit. You kindled the passion of your dad & took it to even greater heights."
Wallace joined Fox News in 2003, replacing Tony Snow as the host of Fox News Sunday. In addition to hosting the program, Wallace also served as a moderator for the third presidential debate of the 2016 Presidential Election, and the first presidential Debate of the 2020 election.
