THE HILL

Longtime Fox News host Shepard Smith is leaving the network after 23 years, saying he plans to “begin a new chapter.”

Smith addressed his departure at the end of his afternoon program on the network, “Shepard Smith Reporting,” which he hosted on weekdays on Fox News since 2013.

“Together with my colleagues we’ve written a first draft of history and endeavored to deliver it to you, while speaking truth to power, without fear or favor with context and perspective,” Smith said while speaking directly to viewers.

“This is my last newscast here. Thank you for watching today and over the decades,” the 55-year-old anchor continued. “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.”

Fox News also issued a statement from Jay Wallace, president and executive editor of Fox News Media, announcing Smith’s departure, saying he would step down as chief news anchor and managing editor of the network’s breaking news unit.

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[President] Trump reacted with surprise to the news of Smith’s departure.

“I don’t know. Is he leaving? That’s a shame,” Trump said on the South Lawn before departing for a rally in Louisiana.

“Is he leaving because of bad ratings?” Trump continued. “If he’s leaving, I assume he’s leaving because he had bad ratings.”

“He had the worst ratings at Fox,” Trump said, before adding, “I wish Shepherd Smith well.”