Shepard Smith exits Fox News after 23 years

(SOUNDBITE)(ENGLISH) FOX NEWS ANCHOR, SHEPARD SMITH, SAYING:

"So recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News, after requesting that I stay, they obliged."

Long-standing anchor known for his independent voice on Fox News for over 20 years, Shepard Smith, announced his departure on Friday from the network.

Smith’s critical coverage of U.S. President Donald Trump over the years has put the anchor on the receiving end of some of Trump’s disapproving tweets.

(SOUNDBITE)(ENGLISH) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"I mean if he's leaving, I'm assuming he's leaving because he had bad ratings."

On August 7th, Trump tweeted "Watching Fake News CNN is better than watching Shepard Smith, the lowest rated show on @FoxNews."

More recently, on October 10th, Trump named Smith in a tweet that criticized the channel after a Fox news poll showed a slight majority of voters favoring his impeachment and removal.

But in the end, Smith took the high road…

(SOUNDBITE)(ENGLISH) FOX NEWS ANCHOR, SHEPARD SMITH, SAYING:

"Even in our currently polarized nation, it is my hope that the facts will win the day, that the truth will always matter, that journalism and journalists will thrive."

A series of rotating anchors will host the 3pm time slot until a new program is announced.