Lou Dobbs (1945-2021) was a prominent American conservative political commentator and television personality. He was best known for hosting "Lou Dobbs Tonight" on CNN (2003-2009, 2011-2021) and later, "The Great America Show" on iHeartRadio and his website. Dobbs was recognized for his conservative viewpoints and commentary on a range of political and economic issues.
September 24, 1945: Birth of Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs was born in Childress County, Texas on September 24, 1945.
1945: Early Life and Family
Dobbs was born in Childress County, Texas in 1945, the son of Frank and Lydia Mae Dobbs. His father was a co-owner of a propane business.
1967: Marriage and Early Career
After graduating college, Dobbs worked in Boston and Washington D.C. before returning to Idaho. He married his high school sweetheart in 1967.
1967: Harvard Graduation
Dobbs graduated from Harvard University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
1979: CNN Opportunity
In 1979, Dobbs was contacted by a recruiter for Ted Turner, who was in the process of creating CNN.
1980: Launching with CNN
Dobbs became a part of CNN when it launched in 1980. He held roles such as chief economics correspondent and host of the business program, Moneyline.
1980: Dobbs Joins CNN
Lou Dobbs began working with CNN at its start in 1980.
1981: Dobbs's First Marriage Ends in Divorce
Lou Dobbs's first marriage ended in divorce in 1981.
1987: Dobbs Receives Peabody Award for Stock Market Crash Coverage
In 1987, Dobbs received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for his coverage of the stock market crash. This award recognized his impactful journalism during a significant financial event.
1990: Dobbs Honored with Business Journalism Review's Luminary Award
Recognizing his contributions to business journalism, Dobbs received the Luminary Award from the Business Journalism Review in 1990.
1993: Dobbs Named "Father of the Year" by National Father's Day Committee
In 1993, Dobbs received recognition for his role as a father, being named "Father of the Year" by the National Father's Day Committee.
1997: Clash with Rick Kaplan
Dobbs and Rick Kaplan, who became president of CNN in 1997, clashed repeatedly over their differing opinions about then-president Bill Clinton.
April 20, 1999: Columbine Coverage Dispute
On April 20, 1999, Dobbs and Kaplan disagreed over coverage of President Clinton's speech in Littleton, Colorado after the Columbine High School massacre. This disagreement led to Dobbs announcing his departure from the network a few days later.
July 1999: Space.com Founding
Dobbs announced his departure from CNN to launch Space.com in July 1999.
1999: Dobbs Receives Horatio Alger Association Award for Distinguished Americans
Dobbs was honored with the Horatio Alger Association Award for Distinguished Americans in 1999, recognizing his achievements and commitment to the values of integrity and hard work.
1999: First Departure from CNN
Lou Dobbs resigned from CNN for the first time in 1999.
August 2000: Kaplan Leaves CNN
Rick Kaplan left CNN in August 2000.
2000: Dobbs Receives National Space Club Media Award
Dobbs's contributions to media coverage of space exploration earned him the National Space Club Media Award in 2000.
2001: Dobbs Returns to CNN
Lou Dobbs rejoined CNN in 2001 after leaving the network in 1999.
2001: Return to CNN
Dobbs returned to CNN in 2001 after founding Space.com in 1999.
June 2003: Return to Lou Dobbs Moneyline
After Kaplan left, Dobbs rejoined CNN and became host of Lou Dobbs Moneyline, which later became Lou Dobbs tonight.
2003: Lou Dobbs Tonight Premieres
Lou Dobbs's show Moneyline was renamed to Lou Dobbs Tonight in 2003.
2004: Dobbs Receives Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in Immigration Coverage
The Center for Immigration Studies recognized Dobbs with the Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration in 2004.
2005: Dobbs Honored with Alexis de Tocqueville Institution's Statesmanship Award
Dobbs's work earned him the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution's Statesmanship Award in 2005, highlighting his contributions to public policy and discourse.
2006: Dobbs Criticizes Immigration Policies
In 2006, Lou Dobbs expressed frustration over failed legislation to build a southern border fence, arguing that American workers were the true victims of corporate America's lust for cheap labor.
May 2007: Dobbs Makes False Claims About Immigration
In May 2007, Lou Dobbs made factually incorrect claims about illegal immigrants and leprosy, comparing his critics to 'commies' and 'fascists.'
October 2007: Dobbs Criticizes Governor Spitzer
In October 2007, Lou Dobbs labeled New York Governor Eliot Spitzer an 'idiot' for advocating driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.
2007: Dobbs Highlights Immigration Issues
During 2007, Lou Dobbs devoted significant airtime to immigration issues, criticizing foreign worker programs and the lack of border security.
June 2008: Broadcast Agreement
In June 2008, Dobbs secured an agreement with Business Talk Radio Network to carry a rebroadcast of his show.
2008: Dobbs Receives American Legion Public Relations Award
Dobbs's work in public relations earned him the American Legion Public Relations Award from the National Commander of The American Legion in 2008.
2008: Dobbs Promotes Birther Theory
In 2008, Lou Dobbs promoted the theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States, despite CNN considering it a discredited rumor.
2008: Lou Dobbs Radio Begins
Dobbs began hosting Lou Dobbs Radio on United Stations Radio Networks in 2008.
March 2009: Dobbs Voices Opposition to St. Patrick's Day
Dobbs generated controversy in March 2009 when he expressed his opposition to the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
July 2009: Birther Theory Controversy
Dobbs began promoting the birther theory in July 2009, which led to criticism and organized opposition.
November 11, 2009: Departure from CNN
On November 11, 2009, Dobbs announced he was leaving CNN.
November 2009: Dobbs Calls for Humane Immigration Policy
In a November 2009 interview, Lou Dobbs emphasized the need for a rational and humane U.S. immigration policy that includes enhanced border security and legalization for certain illegal immigrants.
November 2009: Dobbs Departs CNN
On November 2009, Dobbs left CNN after nearly 30 years with the network.
2009: Considering Presidential Run
Following his departure from CNN, Dobbs considered running for President of the United States in the 2012 election.
2009: Dobbs Resigns from CNN
Lou Dobbs resigned from CNN for the second time in 2009.
October 5, 2010: Dobbs Appears on The Good Wife
On October 5, 2010, Lou Dobbs made a guest appearance on an episode of The Good Wife, playing a client in search of legal representation.
October 2010: Investigation into Dobbs's Use of Undocumented Workers
In October 2010, The Nation published an investigation revealing undocumented workers had been employed on Lou Dobbs's properties, which Dobbs denied.
November 10, 2010: Fox Business Network Announces New Show
On November 10, 2010, Fox Business Network announced that Lou Dobbs would host a new show on the channel.
March 3, 2011: Details of New Show Announced
On March 3, 2011, Fox Business Network revealed the start date, show title, and time slot for Lou Dobbs's new show.
March 14, 2011: Debut of Lou Dobbs Tonight
Lou Dobbs Tonight premiered on March 14, 2011, on Fox Business Network.
2011: Return to Television
Lou Dobbs returned to television in 2011 to host Lou Dobbs Tonight on the Fox Business Network.
2012: Potential Presidential Candidacy
Dobbs considered running for President of the United States in 2012.
2012: End of Lou Dobbs Radio
Dobbs stopped hosting Lou Dobbs Radio in 2012.
2012: Dobbs Defends Reporter Criticized During Obama Era
Years earlier, in 2012, Dobbs defended a reporter who faced criticism from the White House under President Obama. This stance contrasted sharply with his later defense of the Trump administration's actions against a CNN reporter.
2015: Dobbs Alleges FBI Infiltration of Trump Campaign
Dobbs's claims in 2018 revolved around alleged actions by the FBI in 2015. He suggested the FBI planted spies within the Trump campaign as early as December of that year.
November 2017: Dobbs Interviews Trump
In November 2017, Lou Dobbs conducted an interview with President Donald Trump, which was described by The New York Times as a 'courtier-like session' due to Dobbs's highly complimentary approach.
January 2018: Dobbs Calls for War on "Deep State"
In January 2018, Lou Dobbs called for a "war" on what he called the "Deep State," targeting the FBI and Department of Justice. He accused them of working against the Trump presidency.
June 2018: Dobbs Promotes Conspiracy Theory About FBI Spies
In June 2018, Dobbs promoted a conspiracy theory that originated online, suggesting the FBI planted spies in the Trump campaign back in 2015. This unfounded claim was even amplified by Trump himself.
July 2018: Dobbs Defends Ban on CNN Reporter, Sparking Hypocrisy Accusations
In July 2018, Lou Dobbs defended the Trump administration's decision to ban a CNN reporter from a White House press event. This defense drew accusations of hypocrisy, given his past support for a reporter who was criticized during the Obama administration.
July 2018: Dobbs Accuses Robert Mueller of "Jihad" Against Trump
Lou Dobbs escalated his rhetoric in July 2018, accusing Special Counsel Robert Mueller of being on a "jihad" against then-President Trump. He claimed Mueller was attempting to undermine and overturn Trump's presidency.
August 2018: Dobbs Promotes Unsubstantiated Claims of Google Bias Against Trump
In August 2018, Lou Dobbs used his platform to promote unproven claims of bias against Trump within Google. He alleged that Google was promoting anti-Trump stories, echoing similar statements made by President Trump.
September 2018: Dobbs Defends Trump's False Claims About Hurricane Maria Death Toll
Following Hurricane Maria, when Trump made false statements about the official death toll in Puerto Rico, Dobbs came to his defense in September 2018. He supported Trump's claim that the numbers were inflated for political purposes.
October 2018: Guest on Dobbs's Show Makes Anti-Semitic Remarks, Drawing Condemnation
Dobbs's show sparked outrage in October 2018 when a guest made comments widely condemned as anti-Semitic. The guest suggested the State Department was "Soros-occupied," echoing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. These remarks came in the wake of bombing attempts on George Soros and prominent Democrats, and were aired again after the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.
October 2018: Dobbs Dismisses Bomb Threats Against Democrats as "Fake News"
In a highly controversial move in October 2018, Dobbs referred to bomb threats targeting CNN and prominent Democrats as "fake news." He even suggested that Democrats were behind these threats to gain sympathy ahead of the midterm elections.
November 2018: Dobbs Claims Undocumented Immigrants Voted
In November 2018, Lou Dobbs falsely claimed that 'many' undocumented immigrants voted in the mid-term elections and had an 'immense impact.'
December 2018: Dobbs Suggests War with China
In December 2018, Lou Dobbs suggested that the United States should start a war with China due to hacking activities by Chinese state actors.
December 2018: Dobbs Condemns "Legion of Evildoers" in the FBI
Dobbs continued his attacks on the FBI in December 2018, alleging the existence of a "legion of evildoers" within the agency. He claimed widespread corruption and political bias against Trump.
January 2019: Dobbs Labels Mitt Romney a "Traitor" for Criticizing Trump
Lou Dobbs sharply criticized Republican Senator Mitt Romney in January 2019, labeling him a "traitor" for his op-ed in The Washington Post that critiqued Trump's character.
March 2019: Dobbs Criticizes Trump's Immigration Stance
In March 2019, Lou Dobbs criticized President Donald Trump for supporting legal immigration in large numbers, claiming the White House had lost its way.
July 2019: Dobbs Mocks Military Generals Critical of Trump's July 4th Plans
Dobbs took aim at U.S. military generals in July 2019, mocking them as "Snowflake Generals." This came after the generals expressed concerns about Trump's decision to hold a military display in Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July celebrations.
November 2019: Dobbs Remains Silent as Guest Makes More Anti-Semitic Claims
Adding to the controversy, in November 2019, during the Trump-Ukraine scandal, Dobbs hosted a guest who again made anti-Semitic statements about George Soros controlling the U.S. State Department. This time, Dobbs did not challenge the guest's baseless claims.
September 2020: Fox News President Criticizes Dobbs
In September 2020, Fox News president Jay Wallace privately criticized Lou Dobbs's show as less nuanced than North Korean media, amid Dobbs's highly supportive coverage of the Trump presidency.
December 2020: Dobbs Begins to Backtrack on Election Conspiracy Theories
Facing potential legal repercussions, Lou Dobbs began to change his tune in December 2020. He started to distance himself from the election conspiracy theories he had previously promoted on his show.
2020: Dobbs Questions Election Results, Criticizes Republicans, and Accuses Officials
Following Trump's loss in the 2020 election, Dobbs joined in casting doubt on the results. He criticized Republicans for not supporting Trump's claims of a stolen election and went as far as calling GOP members who voted to certify Biden's win "criminal." He also accused Attorney General Bill Barr of being "compromised" after Barr stated there was no widespread election fraud.
2020: Election Controversies
In 2020, Dobbs was named in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems for broadcasting false statements regarding the 2020 presidential election.
January 4, 2021: Dobbs Backtracks on Election Conspiracy Theories After Legal Threat
Facing a legal threat from voting technology company Smartmatic, Dobbs backtracked on his show on January 4, 2021. He aired a segment debunking the very same conspiracy theories he had previously amplified about the company and the 2020 election.
January 2021: Dobbs Promotes Conspiracy Theory About Antifa Involvement in Capitol Riot
In the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol riot, Dobbs joined others in pushing a conspiracy theory that Antifa members were responsible for the attack. This claim was widely debunked.
February 4, 2021: Smartmatic Files Defamation Suit
On February 4, 2021, voting machine company Smartmatic filed a $2.7 billion defamation suit against Lou Dobbs and other Fox Corporation hosts, alleging they promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election.
February 5, 2021: Fox News Cancels Dobbs's Show
Fox News canceled Lou Dobbs's show on February 5, 2021, although the decision was reportedly considered before the Smartmatic legal issues.
February 2021: Cancellation of Lou Dobbs Tonight
Lou Dobbs Tonight on Fox Business Network was cancelled in February 2021.
December 2021: Majed Khalil Sues Dobbs
In December 2021, Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil sued Lou Dobbs, Fox News, and Sidney Powell for $250 million, claiming they falsely implicated him in rigging voting machines.
2021: New Beginnings and End of an Era
In 2021, Dobbs began hosting The Great America Show and Lou Dobbs Tonight was cancelled.
March 2022: Judge Allows Smartmatic Suit to Proceed
A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled in March 2022 that the Smartmatic defamation suit against Fox News could proceed, though dismissing allegations against two individuals. Claims against Lou Dobbs remained.
June 2022: Dobbs Celebrates the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Despite previously identifying as pro-choice, Dobbs expressed support for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
April 2023: Dobbs Settles with Khalil
In April 2023, Lou Dobbs and Fox News reached a confidential settlement with Majed Khalil regarding his defamation suit.
July 18, 2024: Death of Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs passed away on July 18, 2024.