Losing a job is never easy, and fired from a high-profile position like a news anchor can be particularly difficult. But, as you’ll soon see, there have several instances of news anchors being let go by their networks with little warning or explanation. From controversial comments to scandals and legal issues, there are a variety of reasons why a news anchor might find themselves suddenly out of work. In this video, we’ll look closely at some high-profile cases of news anchors who let go by their networks.
Ed Henry
Ed Henry was a prominent news anchor and reporter who had been with Fox News for over a decade. However, in July 2020, he abruptly fired from the network following several scandals. The scandal that initially led to Henry’s suspension a clear violation of the ethical standards expected of journalists, as it compromised his impartiality and integrity. The subsequent scandal, which involved allegations of harassment and assault, only further tarnished his reputation. An internal investigation found evidence of “willful sexual misconduct” with a former employee. It became clear that his continued presence on the network would only damage its image, leading to his termination.
The news came as a shock to many in the industry, as Henry had been a well-respected and popular figure on the network. His firing was another example of the growing demand for accountability and transparency in the workplace, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Chris Cuomo
Chris Cuomo was once a top-rated anchor at CNN. He had a successful career with CNN, starting out as a field reporter and moving on to co-anchor “New Day” before getting his own primetime show, “Cuomo Prime Time.” But his career with the network came to a screeching halt due to his role in defending his famous brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, against allegations of sexual harassment.
Following the release of documents by the New York Attorney General’s office, it revealed that Cuomo had used his professional connections in journalism to obtain information about his brother’s accusers. As a result, CNN terminated his employment in December 2022. Cuomo is currently suing CNN for $125 million, alleging wrongful termination. He has since started anchoring his own show on NewsNation.
Don Lemon
Having spent close to two decades with the network, Don Lemon had become one of the most familiar and identifiable figures on CNN.
In a surprising turn of events earlier this month, he took to Twitter to express his shock and disbelief after spending 17 long years with CNN. He lamented the lack of transparency from management, having received no indication that he would not be able to continue his work with the network. Though he acknowledged that there likely larger issues at play, he remained grateful for the chance given to work with some of the most talented and respected journalists in the industry. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his departure, he took the time to thank his colleagues and the numerous teams he had worked with over the years. He wished them all the best, knowing that they would continue to thrive in their respective roles at the network.
After Don Lemon expressed his surprise and disappointment over his departure from CNN on Twitter, the network disputed his statement, claiming that it was not entirely true. CNN clarified that Lemon had allowed to meet with management regarding his departure but had instead chosen to make a public statement on Twitter. Despite CNN’s clarification, it was clear that Lemon’s time with the network had ended. While his departure from the network may have clouded in controversy, Lemon remained a prominent figure in the media industry, continuing to speak out on important issues and advocate for change.
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes well-respected anchors at ABC News before their careers abruptly stopped in November 2022 after photos revealing their romantic relationship made public. Robach had a long history with the network, having started as a correspondent on “Good Morning America” in 2012 before promoted to news anchor in 2014. Meanwhile, Holmes joined ABC News in 2014 and served as a key correspondent for “Good Morning America” before becoming a co-anchor with Robach on “GMA3: What You Need To Know” in 2020.
However, their relationship ultimately led to their downfall at the network. ABC News temporarily took them off the air in December 2022 following reports of their affair. And both Robach and Holmes were officially fired in January 2023. The news sent shockwaves through the industry, as both anchors had well-liked and respected by colleagues and viewers alike. Despite their departure from ABC News, Robach and Holmes have since gone public with their relationship, showing that love can bloom even amid professional turmoil.
Bill O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly was once one of the most powerful figures in cable news, hosting “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News for an impressive 16-year run. However, his career came crashing down in April 2017 after a bombshell report by The New York Times exposed a series of harassment lawsuits brought against O’Reilly, as well as the millions of dollars he had paid out in settlements to his accusers. The revelations caused a significant backlash, with advertisers quickly pulling their support from the show, leading to a loss of revenue for the network. Despite initially weathering the storm, O’Reilly eventually forced out of the network, ending his tenure as the king of cable news.
Since his departure, he has continued to maintain a presence in the media world, hosting a show on the conservative streaming platform The First TV. O’Reilly’s fall from grace serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of integrity and the consequences of unethical behavior in the media industry.
Tucker Carlson
Earlier this month, it was reported that Tucker Carlson had informed of his departure from Fox News just ten minutes before the network announced it to the public. The news came amid a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News, which alleged that the network had spread false claims about the company’s involvement in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Carlson, who had been the host of “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” had been a polarizing figure at the network, often courting controversy with his inflammatory commentary on a range of topics.
Despite his departure, Fox News praised Carlson for his service to the network as both a host and a contributor. In the wake of his exit, the network announced that “Fox News Tonight” would helmed by rotating personalities until a permanent replacement was found. Carlson’s departure from Fox News marked the end of an era for the network and served as a reminder of the power and influence of media personalities in shaping public opinion.
Matt Lauer
Matt Lauer was a beloved fixture of NBC’s “Today” morning show for an impressive 20-year run. During his tenure at the network, Lauer interviewed numerous high-ranking political figures, covered multiple Olympic Games, and earned a jaw-dropping $20 million annual salary. However, his successful career came to a screeching halt in November 2017, when NBC fired him following allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague. As more allegations surfaced, some sources claimed that the network had long been aware of Lauer’s misconduct and had chosen to turn a blind eye. Lauer himself responded to the allegations with a statement expressing embarrassment, but also dismissing some of the accusations as false.
Lauer’s downfall sent shockwaves through the industry, as it revealed the prevalence of sexual misconduct in the workplace, even at the highest levels of the media industry.
Dan Rather
Dan Rather a highly respected journalist who had worked for CBS. His exit from CBS was a stunning turn of events for a journalist who had spent over four decades at the network. Two weeks before the U.S. Presidential Elections that year, Rather presented a series of memos on “60 Minutes II” that alleged false information about former President George W. Bush’s service in the Texas National Air Guard. Unfortunately, the documents quickly exposed as forgeries and sparked widespread public outcry.
As the pressure mounted, CBS retracted the story and fired the producers responsible for bringing it to air. Although Rather initially remained with the network, he eventually pushed out in the wake of the scandal. His departure marked the end of an era for CBS and left many viewers and colleagues reeling from the shock of his sudden exit. Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his departure, Rather remained committed to his craft, continuing to report on important issues and advocating for the importance of journalistic integrity. The controversy surrounding the Killian documents and CBS’ handling of the story was later dramatized in the 2015 movie “Truth.”
Charlie Rose
Charlie Rose was a veteran TV journalist with over four decades of experience, who had built a reputation for himself as a respected anchor on multiple networks. But his once stellar career came to a stunning halt in 2017, when he became embroiled in the #MeToo movement. In November of that year, an explosive article by The Washington Post revealed multiple allegations of misconduct against the host. The allegations sent shockwaves through the industry, and within 24 hours of the article’s publication, Rose’s shows were suspended and he was swiftly removed from his anchor position.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Rose issued an apology in which he accepted responsibility for his actions. However, his attempts to undermine some of the allegations against him only served to further fuel the backlash against him.
Eric Bolling
Eric Bolling had a successful career as a conservative pundit and television host, beginning his journey as a financial analyst on CNBC’s “Fast Money.” He later made the switch to the Fox Business Network, eventually rising to become one of the hosts on “The Five.” However, Bolling’s meteoric rise at Fox was cut short in September 2017 when an explosive article by “HuffPost” accused him of misconduct. The report claimed that Bolling had repeatedly sent inappropriate pictures and text messages to female co-workers.
Bolling immediately denied the allegations, but Fox suspended him while they conducted an investigation. In no time, the network announced that Bolling had been dismissed, and his show was canceled.
There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Let us know which part of this video was your favorite.
