Loved, loathed, never ignored, he helped rewrite the rules of cable news — and paid a price for it. Now, as Trump mourns and opponents seethe, the real fight over what he truly meant to America is only just begi…

Lou Dobbs’s passing at 78 closes the chapter on one of cable news’ most polarizing figures, but not on the arguments he ignited. From his early days turning Moneyline into must-watch television at CNN to his fiery tenure at Fox Business, Dobbs blurred the line between anchor and advocate, turning economic headlines into populist battle cries. His relentless focus on immigration and his attacks on Barack Obama made him a hero to some and a dangerous demagogue to others, ultimately pushing him off mainstream platforms even as his influence lingered.

In death, the divide remains. Donald Trump hails him as “an incredible talent” and “true friend,” while critics remember a broadcaster who helped mainstream suspicion and grievance. Yet beyond the on-air persona was a husband and father of six, a man whose ambition and instincts helped shape modern political media. Lou Dobbs is gone, but the echo of his voice still frames how America argues with itself.