History of Bret Baier in Timeline

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

August 4, 1970: Bret Baier Born

On August 4, 1970, William Bret Baier was born. He is now known as an American journalist, the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News, and the chief political anchor for Fox.

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. During his time there, he was 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 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.

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

In 2008, before Bret Baier's son Paul's open-heart surgery, President George W. Bush invited Baier, his wife Amy, and their son to the Oval Office for a visit and had the White House physician update him on Paul's progress.

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.

2009: Named a "Significant Sig" by Sigma Chi Fraternity

In 2009, Bret Baier was named a "Significant Sig" by the Sigma Chi Fraternity, recognizing his achievements and contributions.

2016: Kenneth Y. Tomlinson Award for Outstanding Journalism

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

2017: Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism 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 over Arizona election projection

In 2020, shortly after the United States presidential election, Bret Baier expressed concern that Fox News's projection of Joe Biden winning Arizona might upset viewers and cause them to abandon the network.

October 2021: Promotion of "To Rescue the Republic" on The Late Show

In October 2021, Bret Baier promoted his 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, 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.

2024: Paul's Fifth Open-Heart Surgery

In 2024, Bret Baier's son Paul underwent a fifth open-heart surgery at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., after doctors discovered a life-threatening aneurysm.

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.

October 21, 2025: Release of "To Rescue the American Spirit"

Bret Baier is set to release his new history book, "To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower" on October 21, 2025.

To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower (The Presidential Series)

Check it on Amazon

2025: Paul's Recovery and College Plans

By 2025, Bret Baier reported that his son Paul was recovering well from his fifth open-heart surgery, making college plans, and resuming normal activities like playing golf on his high school team.