History of Bret Baier in Timeline

Bret Baier is an American journalist and the prominent host of Special Report on Fox News Channel, where he also serves as the chief political anchor. Before his current role, he was the Chief White House Correspondent and a Pentagon correspondent for the network. Baier's career is primarily associated with Fox News, where he has established himself as a key political news figure.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 4, 1970: Bret Baier Born

On August 4, 1970, William Bret Baier was born. He is an American journalist and the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on the Fox News Channel.

Others born on this day/year

1988: Graduation from Marist School

In 1988, Bret Baier graduated from Marist School, a private Roman Catholic high school in Atlanta, Georgia.

1992: Graduation from DePauw University

In 1992, Bret Baier graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, with a BA degree in political science and English. He was also a member of the Xi chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity.

1998: Hired by Fox News

In 1998, Bret Baier sent an audition tape to Fox News and was hired as the network's Atlanta bureau chief.

September 11, 2001: Coverage of the 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 event led to him being tapped as the network's Pentagon correspondent.

2007: Named White House Correspondent and substitute anchor

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

December 23, 2008: Announcement as New Anchor of Special Report

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

2008: Son's Open-Heart Surgery and White House Visit

In 2008, Bret Baier's son, Paul, underwent open-heart surgery. Before the surgery, President George W. Bush invited Baier, his wife, and son to the Oval Office for a visit.

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.

2009: Named a Significant Sig

In 2009, Bret Baier was named a "Significant Sig" by the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

2016: Kenneth Y. Tomlinson Award

In 2016, Bret Baier earned the Kenneth Y. Tomlinson Award for Outstanding Journalism from the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program.

2017: Sol Taishoff Award and Urbino Press Award

In 2017, Bret Baier received the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism from the National Press Foundation and the Urbino Press Award from the Municipality of Urbino.

2020: Concerns about Arizona Projection

In 2020, shortly after the United States presidential election, Bret Baier argued that Fox should pull its projection that Joe Biden had won the state of Arizona. Baier worried this might upset Fox viewers.

October 2021: Promotion of "To Rescue the Republic"

In October 2021, Bret Baier promoted his new book, "To Rescue the Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

To Rescue the Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876 (The Presidential Series Book 1)

Check it on Amazon

June 2023: Interview with Donald Trump

In June 2023, Bret Baier interviewed former U.S. President Donald Trump and pressed 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-Moderation of GOP Primary Debate

In August 2023, Bret Baier co-moderated the first GOP Primary debate alongside Martha MacCallum, which was viewed by around 12.8 million people.

September 2023: Interview with Mohammed bin Salman

In September 2023, Bret Baier interviewed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Sindalah, Saudi Arabia.

October 2023: Planned Discussion for House Speaker Candidates

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

February 2024: Interview with Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine

In February 2024, Bret Baier traveled to Ukraine to interview President Volodymyr Zelensky about the ongoing Russian invasion. Zelensky called Tucker Carlson's interview with Vladimir Putin "two hours of bullshit," and made the case for more western aid to Ukraine.

October 16, 2024: 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" and delivered an average of 7.8 million viewers and got 9.2 million viewers.

February 2025: Interview with Zelenskyy after Trump Meeting

In February 2025, Bret Baier interviewed Zelenskyy again after his contentious Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump and JD Vance, drawing over 6 million viewers.