Lou Dobbs, one of the most loyal media supporters of former
President Donald Trump, was named a defendant in a defamation lawsuit by voting
machine maker Smartmatic, following which his weekday television program “Lou Dobbs Tonight” has been cancelled by Fox
Business Network, reported Reuters.

The business journalist was named along with two other Fox hosts who falsely accused the voting machine
maker company of helping to manipulate the 2020 US presidential election against Trump.

Also read: Voting system producer files lawsuit against Fox News, Guiliani for defamation

However, as per Fox News, the decision of ending Dobbs’ program was made even before the lawsuit due to changes in format of shows post the 2020 election in November.

A Fox News Media spokesperson
said, “As
we said in October, Fox News Media regularly considers programming changes and
plans have been in place to launch new formats as appropriate post-election,
including on Fox Business. This is part of those planned changes”, reported Reuters.

Also read: Fight against election ‘super spreaders’ continues

Former President Trump issued an emailed
statement on Friday evening applauding Dobbs. He wrote, “Lou Dobbs is and was
great. Nobody loves America more than Lou. He had a large and loyal following
that will be watching closely for his next move, and that following includes me”,
reported Reuters.

Although the 75-year-old journalist did
not responded to the program end.

Also read: Trump should not get classified intelligence briefings: US President Joe Biden

Fox News also said regarding the Smartmatic
lawsuit on Thursday that they were “proud of our 2020 election coverage and
will vigorously defend this meritless lawsuit in court”, reported
Reuters.

The 5 pm Dobbs’ show will now be called “Fox
Business Tonight” from Monday.