Chris Wallace's Career at Fox News
Chris Wallace joined Fox News in 2003 as the anchor of Fox News Sunday, the network's flagship Sunday morning public affairs program. He hosted the program for nearly two decades, interviewing sitting presidents, senators, and business leaders. Before Fox News, Wallace worked at NBC News, ABC News, and CNN, where he covered major political events and presidential campaigns. His move to Fox News helped the network build credibility in Washington political coverage. Forbes covered his long career in broadcast journalism.
Wallace became one of the highest-paid hosts at Fox News, with reports estimating his annual salary in the range of 15 to 25 million dollars during his tenure. His compensation reflected his decades of experience and the high ratings Fox News Sunday consistently achieved. The show often ranked among the top cable news programs on Sunday mornings, competing directly with CBS's Face the Nation and NBC's Meet the Press. Wallace's interviewing style was widely described as direct and adversarial, a contrast to the more deferential tone common in cable news.
Major Shows and Anchoring Roles
In addition to Fox News Sunday, Wallace hosted special event programming and debate coverage for the network. He moderated several high-profile presidential debates, including the first 2020 presidential debate between then-President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The debate drew massive viewership and became one of the most-watched cable news events of that election cycle. Wallace's role as a moderator required him to enforce time limits and fact-check claims in real time.
Fox News also used Wallace for breaking news coverage and election night specials, where he anchored live panels and analysis for hours. His presence on these specials helped the network compete with CNN and MSNBC during critical political moments. Wallace's reputation for fairness and tough questioning made him a recognizable face beyond the Fox News audience. Semana noted his influence on American political television.
Departure and Post-Fox News Activities
Chris Wallace announced his departure from Fox News in late 2021, with his final broadcast of Fox News Sunday airing in December of that year. He cited a desire to explore new opportunities and spend more time with family. His exit followed a period of increasing tension between him and the network's editorial direction, particularly around coverage of the 2020 election and the January 6 committee investigations. The New York Times reported on the circumstances of his exit.
After leaving Fox News, Wallace has remained active in broadcast journalism, taking on select anchoring and interview roles outside the network. He has appeared on other news programs and participated in media industry discussions about the future of cable news. His departure marked the end of an era for Fox News Sunday, which the network has since restructured with a new anchor lineup. CNN covered the transition at Fox News following his departure.