NewYork City
Less news at Fox: Fox News anchor Chris Wallace surprised viewers this week by announcing he’s leaving the network after 18 years, dealing a blow to the channel’s straight-news bona fides as its programming is increasingly dominated by fiery conservative hosts like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. Wallace,
74, declined a multiyear extension and pay raise from Fox, opting instead to host an interview show on CNN’s new streaming service next year. The son of
60 Minutes legend Mike Wallace, the Fox veteran rarely criticized the network’s opinion side publicly, but he reportedly raised concerns with management about Carlson’s documentary Patriot Purge, which gave credence to claims that the Jan. 6 Capitol attack was a “false flag” operation meant to demonize the Right. Still, when signing off, Wallace defended the network. “The bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked,” he said. “They kept that promise.”