5 Shocking Reasons Why Neil Cavuto Left Fox News After 28 Years

The news of Neil Cavuto's departure from Fox News sent shockwaves through the media industry, marking the end of a nearly three-decade run for one of the network's original and most respected business journalists. As of late December 2024, the veteran anchor officially stepped away from the network, telling viewers he was "not leaving journalism," but simply "leaving here." His exit, though framed by some as a mutual decision, was quickly revealed to be a complex culmination of corporate cost-cutting, personal health considerations, and the network's shifting political landscape.

This article, updated on December 12, 2025, delves into the five primary factors that led to Cavuto's surprising exit from the network he helped build, a move that highlights the evolving priorities within the modern cable news environment. From a reported contract dispute to his willingness to challenge political orthodoxy, the full story behind Neil Cavuto's final broadcast is more intricate than a simple resignation.

Neil Cavuto: A Biographical Profile and Career Timeline

Neil Patrick Cavuto established himself as a prominent and trusted voice in American financial and political journalism over his extensive career. Known for his straightforward approach and resilience in the face of significant health challenges, his tenure at Fox News was foundational to the network's business coverage.

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• Full Name: Neil Patrick Cavuto
• Date of Birth: September 22, 1958
• Education: St. Bonaventure University (B.A.), American University (M.A.)
• Spouse: Mary Fulling
• Early Career: Worked at PBS and began his financial journalism career at CNBC, where he hosted *Power Lunch*.
• Fox News Channel (FNC): Hired in 1996 as one of the original anchors.
• Key Roles at Fox: Senior Vice President, Anchor, and Managing Editor of Business News for both FNC and Fox Business Network (FBN).
• Signature Shows: *Your World with Neil Cavuto* (FNC), *Cavuto: Coast to Coast* (FBN), and *Cavuto Live* (FNC weekend).
• Departure Date: Announced departure on December 19, 2024, after 28 years.

The Primary Catalyst: A Low-Ball Contract and Cost-Cutting Measures

The most immediate and critical factor behind Neil Cavuto's departure was a financial disagreement during contract negotiations. His existing deal was set to expire at the end of December 2024, and the subsequent offer from the network was unacceptable to the veteran anchor.

1. Declining a Lower Salary Offer

Network insiders reported that Cavuto was offered a contract extension, but at a significantly lower salary than his previous agreement. In a climate of cost-cutting across the television news business, Fox News was reportedly looking to reduce high-profile talent expenses. Cavuto, a foundational anchor who had been with the network since its inception in 1996, declined the reduced offer, choosing instead to leave the company entirely.

2. The Corporate Cost-Cutting Environment

Cavuto's exit is viewed by many as a casualty of broader cost-cutting within the news industry. The decision to offer a lower salary to a long-standing, senior executive and anchor—who was one of the first anchors hired by the network—underscored a shift in corporate priorities. For Cavuto, who had already achieved significant professional success, the reduced contract likely signaled a lack of value placed on his unique role and tenure, prompting his decision to walk away.

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The Long-Term Context: Health Battles and Resilience

While the contract dispute was the final trigger, Cavuto's long and public battle with severe health issues provided a background context that may have influenced his decision and the network's contract strategy. His career was defined by resilience in the face of numerous life-threatening challenges.

3. A Lifetime of Significant Health Challenges

Neil Cavuto has been remarkably open about his serious health conditions, which include:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Diagnosed in the late 1990s.
• Stage 4 Cancer: A survivor who battled the disease.
• Open Heart Surgery: Underwent major surgery in 2016.
• COVID-19 Complications: Contracted the virus and was hospitalized in the ICU due to his severely compromised immune system.

These ongoing health battles required him to take significant time off the air. In 2021, he was hospitalized for COVID-19, a situation made dire by his MS and cancer history. While he always returned to the anchor chair, the cumulative toll of these challenges may have made the prospect of a reduced salary less appealing, or perhaps the network viewed his health as a risk factor in a long-term contract negotiation.

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The Political Divide: An Evolving Network Landscape

Neil Cavuto's professional reputation was built on being a fair, conservative-leaning business reporter who was willing to apply scrutiny to all political figures, including those favored by Fox News' core audience. This stance put him at odds with the network's increasingly partisan direction.

4. The Anti-Trump Stance

Cavuto was one of the few prominent voices on Fox News Channel who consistently offered criticism of Donald Trump's policies and behavior, earning him a reputation as a "Trump skeptic." He was known for being more loyal to traditional conservatism and economic principles than to "Trump-ism." This critical stance reportedly caused tension within the network.

• He famously cut away from a Trump press conference in 2020, stating, "We cannot in good conscience continue showing this."
• He urged viewers to get vaccinated and publicly defended the vaccine, even after contracting COVID-19, a position that contrasted with some other hosts on the network.

5. The Replacement and Network Shifts

While network insiders claimed his exit was not politically motivated, the subsequent changes to the programming schedule suggest a desire for a more ideologically aligned lineup. Cavuto's weekday afternoon time slot was quickly given to Will Cain, a commentator known for his supportive "MAGA" views. This replacement reinforced the perception that Fox News was continuing its "evolving shifts" toward a more unified, pro-Trump/MAGA political perspective, making a moderate voice like Cavuto's a diminishing commodity.

Conclusion: The End of an Era

Neil Cavuto's departure from Fox News in late 2024 was not a simple retirement but a multi-faceted event driven by a critical contract dispute over salary. He chose to leave rather than accept a reduced offer, a decision likely supported by his desire to prioritize his long-term health and his discomfort with the network's shifting political environment. By stating he is "not leaving journalism," Cavuto has left the door open for a future role, confirming that his storied career in business news is far from over. His exit marks the loss of a unique, respected voice and the final chapter of one of the original Fox News anchors.