Lou Dobbs, a U.S. veteran journalist popular for hosting finance shows and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has died.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of ‘The Great Lou Dobbs’,” reads a statement on his X account. “Lou was a fighter till the very end – fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country.”

Mr Dobbs, 78,  was among the CNN pioneer staff and worked for two decades at the cable channel between 1980 to 2009, hosting ‘Moneyline’ and “Lou Dobbs Tonight” later on.

He quit CNN to work at Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Business Network, where he used his vast experience to build the then-newly-launched 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.

At Fox, Mr Dobbs promoted false narratives on his show, asserting that the 2020 presidential polls were rigged against Mr Trump and that some election software companies were in on it.

The lies prompted Dominion Voting Systems to file a defamation suit against Fox News, and Mr Dobbs was named in the suit, a move that preceded the cancellation of his show in 2021.

Due to overwhelming evidence, the news network opted for a $787.5 million out-of-court settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023.

Mr Trump mourned the journalist’s passing, describing Mr Dobbs as a man who “understood the world, and what was ‘happening,’ better than others,” a statement by the Republican candidate said on Thursday.

He added, “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!”

Fox News similarly condoled with Mr Dobbs’s family over his demise in a statement on Thursday.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Lou Dobbs. An incredible business mind with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and influential industry,” a spokesperson for Fox News said. “We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”