OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Several fans of Fox News voiced their displeasure at the manner in which the network recognized long-time personality and host Geraldo Rivera, whose last day was Friday.
The network celebrated him with a cake and a recap of his career during his final appearance on “Fox & Friends.” What set off some viewers was how he was feted, but former network star Tucker Carlson was simply taken off the air in April and was not given similar treatment. And since then, the network unceremoniously fired all the staff who worked on his show, which, according to former Fox News hosts, was very uncharacteristic.
“No party hats and balloons when Tucker left. What a crap organization,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“The greatest narcissist on TV retires. Good riddance!” wrote another.
“Geraldo gets a cake and Tucker gets his integrity,” said another user.
“Yuk.. Fox News honors Geraldo with a glowing tribute…. Yet Tucker and Bongino get the middle finger from FOX NEWS Right back at ya, Fox News!” wrote another user, adding a pair of middle fingers. “RIP Fox News.”
Yuk.. Fox News honors Geraldo with a glowing tribute…. Yet Tucker and Bongino get the middle finger from FOX NEWS
Right back at ya, Fox News !🖕🖕 RIP Fox News https://t.co/P6mpn4dwuS
— ☀⛱🌻Just me👀🍊Cassie🌺🦋🌺 (@browneyegirl400) June 30, 2023
“Sorry but could care less about Geraldo and why not the same exit as tucker? I’m starting to think fox is going woke like cnn,” said another user.
The network also published a glowing story recapping Rivera’s media career.
Network reporter Brian Flood wrote, “Emily Compagno called him a journalistic icon, Lawrence Jones said Geraldo was one of the first people to support his career, Martha MacCallum said she was grateful for their time as colleagues, Ainsley Earhardt called it a ‘privilege’ to work with him, Kayleigh McEnany praised his ‘long and impressive career of groundbreaking journalism,’ and Jesse Watters called it an honor to follow in his footsteps.”
Rivera hinted Thursday to a last farewell in a video he shared to Twitter, a week after initially declaring that he would no longer co-host the Fox News program “The Five.”
“Fox & Friends” played a montage of Rivera’s greatest moments and a host of Fox News personalities spoke about the longtime media personality and what he meant to them.
“I feel emotional and deeply moved. I will always remember this morning. It is something that I didn’t expect. This celebration is beyond anything we’ve ever done,” he said after the montage played. “Thank you. I am deeply – I am honored. I love Fox and the people at Fox. I always will. I will never let anyone separate us. I am beyond grateful, I love you for it.”
Fox News confirmed to Mediaite that Friday would be Rivera’s final appearance on the network after 23 years.
“We reached an amicable conclusion with Geraldo over the past few weeks and look forward to celebrating him tomorrow on Fox & Friends, which will be his last appearance on the network,” a Fox News spokesperson told Mediaite.
WATCH:
Rivera had announced earlier on Thursday that Friday’s Fox & Friends “could be my last appearance on the network.”
“Bumpy day on the North Atlantic. Anyway, I got fired from @TheFive so I quit Fox. After 23 years tomorrow Fox and Friends could be my last appearance on the network. Thanks for the memories. It doesn’t look like I’m going to be on ‘The Five,’” Rivera said in the video. “I mean I’m not going to be on ‘The Five.’ I’ve been fired from ‘The Five’ and as a result of that I quit Fox.”
Earlier this week, Rivera took to Twitter and announced that he is leaving the hit Fox News show “The Five.”
