The news anchor announced on Sunday that he is leaving the network after 18 years to join CNN.
“Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise. I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country’s leaders to account,” Wallace said during his departure from the Fox News Sunday program this weekend.
It has been confirmed that the 74-year-old news journalist will be joining CNN+, a new streaming service that is set to be launched in early 2022.
“I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming. I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape—and finding new ways to tell stories,” Wallace said.
Among those celebrating Wallace’s exit from the network are Trump acolytes Sebastian Gorka and Omar Navarro.
Gorka, a former Deputy Assistant to the former president labeled the movie “weak” on CNN’s part.
“CNN hiring Chris Wallace is such a sign of weakness,” he tweeted. “FAKENEWS hiring a fake conservative means they’ll crash even faster. #MAGA.”
Meanwhile, Republican congressional candidate Omar Navarro told Wallace: “Good riddance.”
“Chris Wallace is leaving Fox News and joining CNN. Good riddance! RT if you agree,” he tweeted.
Conservative comedian Tim Young tweeted: “No one will shift from watching Fox to CNN because of Chris Wallace… what a dumb move if CNN is shelling out big money for him.”
Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert added: “There’s a CNN+ streaming service coming? Chris Wallace is the star of the show? Imagine thinking the solution to no one watching your propaganda network is to put it behind a paywall & hiring a RINO to bring in viewers. Gotta hand it to them, I didn’t think it could get worse.”
Despite some cheering his exit, other Republicans have been sending well-wishes to Wallace on his journey to CNN with South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham tweeting that he “will be missed.”
While Senator Mitt Romney, expressed his gratitude for Wallace’s “years of truth & honesty.”
“I trust that what’s in store for you will be rewarding & impactful but even if not, you’ve already served with uncommon grace & generosity of spirit,” the Utah Republican tweeted. “You kindled the passion of your dad & took it to even greater heights.”
