Steve Doocy, longtime co-host of “Fox & Friends,” delivered an emotional announcement on Thursday. He also received an unexpected surprise from President Donald Trump.
Doocy revealed his departure from daily hosting duties after more than two decades on the air.
Doocy, 68, shared the news during a live broadcast, telling viewers that after years of early mornings and long commutes into New York City, it was finally time to slow down.
“After decades of getting up at three thirty and driving into New York City in the dark, today is the last day I will host this show from the couch,” Doocy said.
He opened the segment with a lighthearted anecdote about his daily routine.
Doocy explained that he and his wife, Kathy, often joke about his work schedule using a reference from a classic 1980s commercial.
“If the alarm wakes her up, she always says, ‘It’s time to make the donuts,’” he said, laughing.
“It is a great job, but the hours suck!”
Doocy has been a fixture on Fox News since 1998, helping to launch “Fox & Friends” and serving as one of the network’s most recognized and enduring personalities.
He emphasized that he is not retiring from television or stepping away from the show entirely.
Instead, he will be reducing his on-air presence to three days per week.
“I’m not retiring, I’m not leaving the show. I’m still a host, but it’s time for a change,” Doocy said.
“Suzanne Scott, the CEO of Fox News Media and a friend of mine for over thirty years, and I have been trying to figure out what a guy who’s been getting up at three thirty for two generations should do next.”
Doocy credited Scott with helping him create a more manageable schedule as he enters the later phase of his broadcasting career.
“Suzanne gave me a great option: to keep working on this show, just not every day,” he said.
“So from now on, I am working three days a week.”
The veteran broadcaster also revealed that he will now be based in Florida rather than New York, which will mark a significant change in his professional routine.
“And I will be based in Florida, which means you may never see me in a necktie again,” he joked.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of emotion from his co-hosts, who shared memories and expressed their admiration for Doocy’s consistent dedication and contribution to the program over the years.
Then came a surprise moment that took both the hosts and viewers by surprise — a recorded message from Trump.
“Hi Steve, it’s your all-time favorite president,” Trump said in the video, speaking directly to Doocy from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
“I just want to congratulate you on your new and probably enhanced role,” the president continued.
“I just think you’re a fantastic guy. You’ve always treated me fairly, sometimes more fairly than other times, but that’s okay.”
Trump praised Doocy for his decades of service to the network and his role in shaping the tone and content of the influential morning program.
“You’ve been really stellar at what you do and what you craft, and it’s really been an honor to have spent so much time with you,” Trump said.
The video message brought a touching close to Doocy’s announcement, with his co-hosts visibly moved by the tribute from the Commander-in-Chief.
Doocy has conducted numerous interviews with Trump over the years and has been part of some of the most-watched segments in morning cable news.
He has also covered a wide range of national and political events during his time at Fox News, developing a loyal audience who tune in for his calm demeanor and straightforward reporting.
His transition to a part-time schedule will mark a significant change for the network’s morning show, though Doocy will continue to play an active role in the program’s future.
Doocy compared his new schedule to that of late-night host Johnny Carson, who worked reduced hours during the final years of his television career.
“Johnny Carson worked three days a week toward the end,” Doocy said.
“Now I get to do that too.”
