Charles Krauthammer, a prominent conservative voice and longtime Fox News contributor, died Thursday at 68 years old.
The former psychiatrist and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist lost a long-fought battle with cancer, revealing in a heartbreaking letter on June 8 that he had only weeks to live.
“Recent tests have revealed that the cancer has returned. There was no sign of it as recently as a month ago, which means it is aggressive and spreading rapidly. My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over.” he shared with colleagues, friends and fans in his letter.
“I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living.”
.@simonwiesenthal: America lost Charles Krauthammer just when we needed his integrity and truth-telling the most. (via @FoxNewsOpinion) https://t.co/W2Dz2KWIFc
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2018
Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott expressed the network’s emotion over the loss of the television commentator who appeared regularly on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” and other Fox News shows.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend, Charles Krauthammer. A gifted doctor and brilliant political commentator, Charles was a guiding voice throughout his time with FOX News and we were incredibly fortunate to showcase his extraordinary talent on our programs. He was an inspiration to all of us and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife Robyn and his son Daniel.”
Many of Krauthammer’s Fox News colleagues reacted to the news with sadness, mourning the loss of their “good friend,” as Baier noted in a tweet.
R.I.P. good friend. I am sure you will be owning the panel discussion in heaven as well. And we’ll make sure your wise words and thoughts – your legacy – will live on here @krauthammer
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) June 21, 2018
“The panel dynamic…was organic. It was a discussion. It wasn’t planned out, that was Charles. He was an op-ed essentially every time he sat there.”
On “Tucker,” @BretBaier discussed the dynamic longtime Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer brought to “Special Report.” pic.twitter.com/9ck2cWQJkH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2018
Fox News senior political analyst, Brit Hume, tweeted and spoke about the “terribly sad news.”
Terribly sad news. The great Charles Krauthammer has died.
— Brit Hume (@brithume) June 21, 2018
“He became a megastar by the sheer force of his personality and his intellect,” Hume remarked. “He was one of a kind.”
.@brithume on death of Charles Krauthammer: “The man was so courageous in the way he lived his life and he overcame so much.” https://t.co/xCL2PcxoFn pic.twitter.com/KmuIE6DeuZ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 21, 2018
Chris Wallace, host of “Fox News Sunday,” believes Krauthammer’s death is not only a personal and professional loss, but a national one as well. Noting the “courage of his intellect and the courage of his convictions,” Wallace described his former colleague as a man who was a “central voice to the national conversation,” echoing the sentiments of many who were aware of his remarkable ability ability to disagree without invoking anger in others and not getting angry himself.
Chris Wallace: Death of Krauthammer is a loss for the nation
‘Fox News Sunday’ host reflects on the courage of Charles Krauthammer’s convictions and intellect.
https://t.co/dBd8613SiU https://t.co/7evT2jaCRG
— Connie Gilbert (@connieglbert) June 22, 2018
Fox News host Tucker Carlson noted the same, pointing out how Krauthammer “argued almost always wholly on the level of principal, was never personal,” and kept everything about the ideas without getting into the lows of personal attacks as many in today’s media have.
.@TuckerCarlson remembers the life of Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer. https://t.co/xCL2PcxoFn pic.twitter.com/Fh08pi5na2
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 21, 2018
Sean Hannity shared a 2013 clip of Krauthammer mocking him which he described as a “special moment between us.”
“His whole life was a profile in courage.”@seanhannity remembers longtime Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer. https://t.co/6gHUtuvQi1 pic.twitter.com/Zjx1JyVUXV
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2018
Krauthammer, who was born on March 13, 1950, in Manhattan to Orthodox Jewish immigrants, displayed extraordinary fortitude and pressed through demanding circumstances in his life. A decison to take a quick swim when he was 22 years old and a first-year student at Harvard changed his life forever.
Diving off a springboard at the campus pool, his head hit the bottom of the pool and severed his spinal cord, leaving him a quadriplegic with only partial use of his arms and hands, paralyzed from the neck down.
Though he did go on to finish medical school, Krauthammer shifted gears and turned to a life of political commentary, writing and television.
His love of all things baseball was honored Thursday as Nationals Park held a moment of silence before the Washington Nationals played a home game.
Moment of silence for @krauthammer at @nationals Park tonight pic.twitter.com/9tJzBe9DiT
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) June 21, 2018
Carlson shared an aspect of Krauthammer’s life than many viewers may not have gotten to see on the screen: his sense of humor.
“Charles was hilarious. He saw the deep absurdity of life, he appreciated irony,” Carlson, who knew Krauthammer for two decades, said.
“Rarely do you meet someone who is a riot, but not at anyone’s expense. I can’t overstate his personal decency – that’s real,” he said, adding that Krauthammer was a “rare talent.”
Fox News will air a special tribute, “Charles Krauthammer: His Words” on Friday at 9PM/ET.
Fox News presents the moving story of Dr. Krauthammer’s life: “Charles Krauthammer: His Words” – Friday at 9p ET pic.twitter.com/syizxr5xOR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2018
Meanwhile, the heartfelt tributes from a vast array colleagues and fans are a testament to Krauthammer’s legacy.
Former President George W. Bush and @laurawbush remember longtime Fox News contributor and Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Krauthammer. https://t.co/6wmXd5OGut pic.twitter.com/PJGfn6nWl0
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 22, 2018
As we get ready for air, we are reflecting on our many enlightening, spirited, and humorous interactions with Charles over the years. His impressive mind, and combination of determination, wit and grace were inspiring to so many. Thank you, Charles.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) June 22, 2018
RIP our friend Charles Krauthammer. His entire life was a profile in courage. An amazing man, a brilliant mind, and a incredible patriot. You will be sorely missed. Our many prayers tonight for Charles and his family.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) June 22, 2018
Charles Krauthammer will long be remembered for his eloquence, his triumph in hardship, and his countless contributions to American political thought. Karen & I send our condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) June 21, 2018
There will never be another Dr. @krauthammer – never. His brilliance, humor and kindness brightened the lives of everyone who was blessed enough to cross his path. He challenged me, inspired me and I find it hard to believe he’s gone. #RIP My Dear Friend – I’m better bc of you
— Shannon Bream (@ShannonBream) June 21, 2018
RIP Charles Krauthammer. He was an American treasure and a brilliant and courageous conservative voice. My prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) June 22, 2018
.@krauthammer We have lost a voice of reason and a powerful intellect in Democracy’s cause. Rest in peace, Charles Krauthammer. Our memories of you will live on.
— Condoleezza Rice (@CondoleezzaRice) June 22, 2018
Our national discourse will be poorer without the wit and wisdom of Charles Krauthammer, but he left a remarkable legacy that all of us will draw from for years to come. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Robbie, his son Daniel, and all his family and friends.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) June 22, 2018
Charles Krauthammer, RIP, and thank you for your contributions to humanity. Agree or not with certain of his opinions, he was a remarkable man in so many ways.
— Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) June 22, 2018
Charles Krauthammer RIP. A giant in the conservative movement who thought through and fought for his ideals. Even when we didn’t always agree, he was a provocative thinker and an inspiration. —> https://t.co/Ygdnc7jmUe
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) June 21, 2018
Cindy & I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Charles Krauthammer. Brilliant, kind, funny & generous, Charles stands as an example to all of us of how to live with civility and a passion for the truth. https://t.co/CNwIIC1QC6
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 22, 2018
The passing of Charles Krauthammer is a loss for the country—a voice of logic and decency that commanded respect across the political spectrum. My heart goes out to Robyn and Daniel. RIP
— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) June 22, 2018
This is a sad night. RIP Charles Krauthammer. As smart as they come.
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) June 22, 2018
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