Lou Dobbs, born in Childress, Texas on September 24, 1945, is an American television personality, radio host, author, and political commentator. Known for his outspoken and often controversial opinions, Dobbs has had a significant impact on American media and political discourse, particularly regarding issues such as trade, immigration, and [economic policy](https://doctorparadox.net/category/economics/). Dobbs grew up in a rural setting, moving frequently during his childhood due to his father's career in the propane business. Dobbs graduated from Minico High School in Rupert, Idaho, and went on to attend the University of Idaho and later Idaho State University. He eventually transferred to Harvard University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1967. ## Career Lou Dobbs began his career in the financial sector, working for Union Bank in Los Angeles and later for a federal anti-poverty program in Washington, D.C. In the early 1970s, he shifted his focus to journalism and joined the local news station KBLU-TV (now KYMA-DT) in Yuma, Arizona, as a police and fire reporter. In 1980, Dobbs joined CNN, one of the first employees of the then-nascent network, and helped launch the groundbreaking financial news program "Moneyline." He quickly became the face of the show and one of the most recognizable personalities on CNN. Dobbs served as the host and managing editor of the program, which was later renamed "Lou Dobbs Moneyline" and eventually "Lou Dobbs Tonight." During his tenure at CNN, Dobbs became known for his critical views on [[globalization]], international trade, and immigration, often clashing with the network's management. In 1999, Dobbs left CNN, briefly overseeing the financial news website Space.com before returning to the network in 2001. ## Conspiracism and move to Fox In 2009, Dobbs resigned from CNN amid controversies over his increasingly polarizing views on immigration and the "[[birtherism]]" conspiracy theory, which questioned the legitimacy of then-President [[Barack Obama]]'s birth certificate. After leaving CNN, Dobbs hosted a syndicated radio show called "The Lou Dobbs Show" and authored several books. In 2011, Dobbs joined the [[Fox News]] organization at the Fox Business Network, where he hosted "Lou Dobbs Tonight," focusing on business and financial news, along with political commentary. The show has been highly rated, and Dobbs has been an influential voice in [[conservative media]]. ## Controversy Throughout his career, Lou Dobbs has been a controversial figure, often taking strong stances on issues such as immigration, trade, and national sovereignty. Critics have accused him of promoting [conspiracy theories](https://doctorparadox.net/why-do-people-believe-conspiracy-theories/), misinformation and [disinformation](https://doctorparadox.net/dictionaries/disinformation-dictionary/), and xenophobia. Despite these controversies, Dobbs remains a prominent figure in American conservative media.