Fox & Friends' Steve Doocy latest among veteran newscasters stepping back

Doocy, the longest-running morning show host on television after Al Roker, joins a news exodus that includes Hoda Kotb, Lester Holt, Jim Acosta, Joy Reid, and Chuck Todd. The reasons for stepping back vary from wanting more freedom and flexibility from the grueling schedule (like Doocy and Kotb) to losing the support of their network (like the cancellation of Reid’s show). Broadcast news has had a tricky time in the ratings, and other news veterans have found success outside the system by setting up their own independent podcasts, newsletters, or YouTube shows. There’s also the heavy influence of politics on the media at the moment, and as President Donald Trump’s administration threatens outlets over negative coverage, some of his biggest critics have been shown the door. 

Of course that’s not the case for Steve Doocy; though not even Fox News is safe from Trump’s ire, the president shared a pre-recorded message with the network for Doocy’s exit. “I just think you’re a fantastic guy,” Trump gushed in part. “You’ve always treated me fairly – sometimes a little more fairly than other times, but that’s okay.” Given that Trump and his inner circle are frequently in Florida, it’s not a stretch to imagine Doocy may be reporting direct from Mar-a-Lago in the future. Hell, maybe he’s even being offered a cabinet position. 

“The show is great. I love the show—but the hours suck,” Doocy told Mediaite. “I get it’s the price of admission, and I have zero regrets, but I’ve done this now for almost 30 years. I’ve got such a routine. I’ve cracked the code on how to do this, I love the show, and ratings are great—I just want to make a transition to the next stage of my personal life.”