Legendary broadcast journalist and political commentator Lou Dobbs has passed away. He was 78. Dobbs spent over two decades at CNN, joining the network at its inception in 1980, and moved on to Fox Business. He became one of Donald Trump’s most vocal supporters in the media. “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘the great Lou Dobbs.’ Lou was a fighter till the very end — fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country,” a statement on Lou Dobbs’ X account read. “Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife Debi, children and grandchildren,” it added. pic.twitter.com/0Lr29t1twO — Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) July 18, 2024 Per CNN: Dobbs had a lengthy career in broadcast journalism, spending more than two decades at CNN, which he joined at its inception in 1980 and anchoring the program “Moneyline.” Dobbs left CNN in 2009 to help media mogul Rupert Murdoch launch the Fox Business Network. “Lou was one of the CNN originals, who helped launch and shape the network. We are saddened to hear about his passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife Debi, children and his family,” a CNN spokesperson said. As Donald Trump ascended in Republican Party politics, Dobbs became one of his most ardent supporters, using his program to promote anti-immigrant rhetoric and lash out at the so-called “deep state.” As one of Trump’s biggest boosters on television, the veteran anchor spent the latter part of his career promoting streams of misinformation and conspiracy theories on behalf of the then-president. Trump regularly praised Dobbs in return, often posting clips of his show on his social media channels. Trump on Thursday praised Dobbs as a friend and “truly incredible journalist, reporter, and talent.” “The Great Lou Dobbs has just passed away — A friend, and truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent. He understood the World, and what was ‘happening,’ better than others. Lou was unique in so many ways, and loved our Country. Our warmest condolences to his wonderful wife, Debi, and family. He will be greatly missed!” Trump posted on Truth Social. #BREAKING: Lou Dobbs dead, Trump announces conservative commentator’s death at 78 https://t.co/TcpcJhNRxc pic.twitter.com/8A6irXIvit — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 18, 2024 RIP Lou Dobbs pic.twitter.com/dGVCGo2v04 — Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) July 18, 2024 “This is the segment that got Lou Dobbs fired from Fox News. He interviewed a USPS whistleblower who drove 200,000+ illegal ballots from New York to Pennsylvania during the 2020 Election,” Alexander Sheppard wrote. WATCH: FLASHBACK: This is the segment that got Lou Dobbs fired from Fox News. He interviewed a USPS whistleblower who drove 200,000+ illegal ballots from New York to Pennsylvania during the 2020 Election. pic.twitter.com/EJ6n4IYSF0 — Alexander Sheppard (@NotAlexSheppard) July 18, 2024 USA TODAY reports: In a statement shared with USA TODAY, Fox News Media paid tribute to Dobbs. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs,” the statement read. “An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry.” “We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family,” the statement concluded. Before his death, Dobbs was absent from his iHeartRadio show, “The Great America Show with Lou Dobbs,” as well as his live-streamed show “Lou Dobbs Tonight” for over a week. On July 3, he spoke with Trump in a live-streamed conversation after the Supreme Court issued its ruling on the issue of whether presidents are immune from criminal prosecution. Dobbs, who has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters, repeatedly spread claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. In 2021, Fox Business Network canceled “Lou Dobbs Tonight” one day after Fox News and three hosts, Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo and Jeanine Pirro, were sued for $2.7 billion.

In Joe Biden’s latest gaffe, he appeared to struggle remembering the name of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “It’s all about treating people with dignity,” Biden said during his interview with BET. “Look at the heat I’m getting because I, I named a, uh, the, uh, secretary of defense – the black man. I named Ketanji Brown. I mean, because of the people I’ve named,” Biden said. WATCH: BIDEN: "Look at the heat I'm getting because I, I named a, uh, the, uh, secretary of defense — the black man" pic.twitter.com/PJYzDznpIV — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 18, 2024 Fox News reports: It was unclear if Biden did forget Austin’s name or was simply referring broadly to administration members and appointees who are Black. The president also seemingly forgot Austin’s name in March, calling him “the guy who runs that outfit over there.” Biden was announcing the nomination of two female generals to lead US military combatant commands during a White House event earlier this year. “And I want to thank the sec — the, the, ah, former general. I keep calling him general, but my, my — the guy who runs that outfit over there,” he said in March. Political commentators and journalists were divided over Biden’s comments, with some claiming that the president could not remember the name of one of his most critical Cabinet officials, while others said that the clip was being misinterpreted. “In the BET interview to woo black voters, President Biden appears to forget the name of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin,” conservative independent journalist Andy Ngo wrote. “He struggles for a moment and says, ‘the black man.'” In the BET interview to woo black voters, President Biden appears to forget the name of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. He struggles for a moment and says, “the black man.” In January, Austin did not inform the public he was hospitalized for days.pic.twitter.com/AQo04FwzR3 — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 18, 2024 “Biden can’t even remember Lloyd Austin’s name instead just calling him ‘Black Man.’ And then tried to pivot to Kentanji Brown. On BET mind you. The pandering has already begun,” X user Malcolm FleX said. Biden can't even remember Lloyd Austin's name instead just calling him "Black Man." And then tried to pivot to Kentanji Brown. On BET mind you. The pandering has already begun. pic.twitter.com/gjQgTLQEg3 — Malcolm FleX (@Malcolm_fleX48) July 18, 2024 From the New York Post: It wasn’t immediately clear whether Biden used “a” or “the” to describe Austin as black. Still, some social media users seized on the president’s remark. “Let’s see how the Biden dead-enders spin this one,” one user posted on X. “A POTUS who cannot remember the name of his SecDef — and instead calls him ‘the black man’ — is not mentally equipped to be in charge of 5,000 nuclear weapons,” another griped. Meanwhile, RNC Research tweeted the clip with a squeamish-faced emoji. Others, though, argued the viral clip was being misconstrued. “I think people are misconstruing this clip. If you listen closely, Biden seems to say ‘the secretary of defense, a black man’ not ‘the black man’; and the context is he’s listing his black appointees,” one person tweeted. A Biden campaign spokesperson didn’t address the apparent stumble when reached by The Post, instead listing ways Biden believes he’s delivered for black Americans. In the interview, Biden also said he would consider dropping out of the presidential election if a doctor diagnosed him with a ‘medical condition.’ [WATCH] Joe Biden Says “Medical Condition” Would Make Him Consider Withdrawing From Presidential Election

During the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Wednesday night, two Gold Star family members reminded attendees and viewers at home of President Joe Biden’s horrendous Afghanistan withdrawal, which ultimately led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.