Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bret Baier

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 7, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Bret Baier made an impact.

Bret Baier is an American journalist who hosts Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News and serves as the chief political anchor for the network. He formerly held positions as Fox News' Chief White House Correspondent and Pentagon correspondent. He is a prominent figure in political news coverage.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1998: Hired by Fox News

In 1998, Bret Baier sent an audition tape to Fox News and was subsequently hired as the network's Atlanta bureau chief, marking a significant step in his career.

September 11, 2001: Coverage of Pentagon Attack

On September 11, 2001, Bret Baier drove from Georgia to Arlington, Virginia, to cover the attack on the Pentagon for Fox News. This assignment led to him being named the network's Pentagon correspondent, a position he held for five years.

2007: Named White House Correspondent and substitute anchor

In 2007, Bret Baier was named Fox News's White House correspondent, covering the George W. Bush administration. In the fall of 2007, he also began substituting for Brit Hume as the anchor of Special Report on Fridays.

December 23, 2008: Announcement as new anchor of Special Report

On December 23, 2008, Brit Hume announced on his final show that Bret Baier would replace him as the anchor of Special Report.

January 5, 2009: First show as permanent anchor of Special Report

On January 5, 2009, Bret Baier hosted his first show as the permanent anchor of Special Report on Fox News, marking a significant milestone in his career.

June 2023: Interview with Donald Trump

In June 2023, Bret Baier interviewed former U.S. president Donald Trump, pressing him on various issues, including classified documents and claims about the 2020 election. Baier disputed Trump's claims that the 2020 election was stolen, stating, "You lost the 2020 election."

August 2023: Co-moderated GOP Primary Debate

In August 2023, Bret Baier co-moderated the first GOP Primary debate alongside Martha MacCallum, reaching around 12.8 million viewers.

September 2023: Interview with Mohammed bin Salman

In September 2023, Bret Baier conducted an interview with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Sindalah, Saudi Arabia.

October 2023: Plans for House Speaker Candidate Discussion Fall Through

In October 2023, Bret Baier planned to host a discussion on Special Report between candidates vying to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The plans with Representatives Kevin Hern, Jim Jordan, and Steve Scalise ultimately fell through due to opposition from other House Republicans.

February 2024: Interview with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine

In February 2024, Bret Baier traveled to Ukraine to interview President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the Russian invasion. This was Zelenskyy's first interview on the front lines of the war, during which he criticized Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin.

October 16, 2024: Contentious Interview with Kamala Harris

On October 16, 2024, Bret Baier interviewed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Fox News. The interview was described as contentious, drawing an average of 7.8 million viewers and 9.2 million viewers including 1.12 million in the key A24-54 demo.

February 2025: Interview with Zelenskyy After Trump Meeting

In February 2025, Bret Baier interviewed Volodymyr Zelenskyy again, following Zelenskyy's meeting with Donald Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office. The interview drew over 6 million viewers.