MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace lamented longtime Fox News anchor Shepard Smith’s departure from the network on Friday, calling it “very sad news for the truth.”
Wallace noted during her own program Friday that Smith had repeatedly called out the Trump administration in his role, describing him as the “most important voice at Fox News.”
“He took apart Donald Trump’s Uranium One scam, he was an important voice for truth, in front of an audience that needs it desperately,” Wallace said. “Very sad news for the truth today. Hopefully happy news for Shep Smith out of Fox News.”
Smith, who has repeatedly been targeted by President Trump’s criticism, announced his departure at the end of his afternoon program on the network, “Shepard Smith Reporting,” which he has hosted on weekdays on Fox News since 2013.{mosads}
“This is my last newscast here. Thank you for watching today and over the decades,” the 55-year-old anchor said. “It’s been an honor and my pleasure. Even in our currently polarized nation, it’s my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, and that journalism and journalists will thrive.”
Trump wished Smith “well” following reports of his exit on Friday evening while targeting the longtime host’s “terrible ratings,” despite Smith having higher ratings than other rivals in the afternoon time slot.
“Is he leaving because of bad ratings? If he’s leaving, I assume he’s leaving because he had bad ratings,” Trump said. “He had the worst ratings at Fox.”