In a shocking turn of events, Trump-hating ex-Fox News Anchor Shepard Smith’s show was canceled from CNBC. The nightly news program was launched two years ago. Smith’s last day at CNBC is unclear, but the network confirmed to the New York Post that he would be leaving and his show would be no more, as it reported:
“After spending time with many of you and closely reviewing the various aspects of our business, I believe we must prioritize and focus on our core strengths of business news and personal finance,” CNBC President KC Sullivan said in a memo to staffers.
“As a result of this strategic alignment to our core business, we will need to shift some of our priorities and resources and make some difficult decisions,” Sullivan added.
CNBC will reportedly attempt to reassign the approximately 20 staffers impacted by the cancellation of Smith’s show. The business network plans to air market coverage during the 7 p.m. time slot previously occupied by Smith, with the launch of a permanent business-related replacement slated for next year.
Smith joined CNBC in 2020 after a lengthy stint at Fox News. While CNBC has traditionally focused on heavy coverage of the markets and other business news, Smith’s program took the form of a centrist general news show.
When opening his new show on the network in 2020, he was quick to bash President Trump:
Video: Shepard Smith begins night one of his CNBC show with a cold open, going on a CNN-like commentary trashing Trump, saying Tuesday's debate was too unserious and un-American to start with a normal open with music, etc. (1/) pic.twitter.com/kPxmptYOgl
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 30, 2020
Another failed Fox News anchor-turned-CNN host Chris Wallace praised Smith when he left Fox News, saying to CNBC “Shep is one of the premier newscasters of his generation and his extraordinary body of work is among the finest journalism in the industry.”
