CNN President Jeff Zucker said he would be “open” to hiring longtime Fox News host Shepard Smith, who abruptly left the network earlier this month.
Speaking to CNN media analyst Brian Stelter on Thursday, Zucker was asked if he wanted to hire Smith.
“I think Shep is a great journalist,” Zucker said. “I understand he’s not able to take any job for the foreseeable future, but when he’s available, he is somebody who I think is incredibly talented, and I would be very open to talking to him.”
Smith reportedly signed a non-compete contract, so he won’t immediately be able to work for another news organization.
The 55-year-old Smith joined Fox News at its inception in 1996 and, in addition to hosting an afternoon show, headed up the network’s breaking news department. His departure was a shock to some of his colleagues, who didn’t know he planned on leaving.
Smith had drawn the ire of President Trump a number of times and sparred with opinion host Tucker Carlson back-and-forth on their shows near the time he left the network. Despite that, Smith said the move was a personal decision.
“I don’t know when he’ll be available, but he is an immense talent, and we’re always looking for great talent,” Zucker said Thursday.
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