Bret Baier recently signed a new multi-year deal with Fox News Channel to continue as anchor and executive editor of Special Report and chief political anchor of the network. He is also a political author—the third book in his presidential series, Three Days at the Brink: FDR's Daring Gamble to Win World War II, will be out soon.
In his latest chat with Capitol File, Baier chatted with about celebrating 10 years at Fox News and the support that keeps him going.
Can you believe it has been 10 years?
BRET BAIER: It's a great honor to be at the helm of Special Report for a decade after taking over from my friend and mentor, Brit Hume. Being able to chronicle it and bring it to the viewers night after night has been a real joy. I love what I do.
If you could tell yourself something 10 years ago, what would it be?
BB: Eat fewer carbs.
I hear that. What's been one of your most memorable moments?
BB: Election night 2016. We were told at 5 p.m. that we might be able to call the race for Hillary Clinton by 10 to 11 p.m. By 8:30 p.m. we started to see it was going to be a long night—and the moment when we called Wisconsin for Trumo, I said from the anchor desk, "That means Fox News can now project that Donald J. Trump will be the 45th president of the United States." It was surreal with graphics flying—a total surprise.
To what do you attribute your success?
BB: My wife, Amy.
Why?
BB: As I transitioned from chief White House correspondent to anchor, I was saying 'yes' to every opportunity and working as hard as possible. Amy, then with our newborn baby boy who has a lot of health issues, was a rock and encouraged me to keep at it while she held everything together at home.
Indeed, you and Amy are a true power couple.
BB: Amy is a dynamo and is the Chair of the Foundation Board for Children’s National. I am the MC of the Children's Ball every year. We put a lot of time and effort into raising money and awareness for Children's National hospital, but we've also supported causes like helping wounded veterans and Alzheimer's, cancer and heart disease research. Amy is also a co-chair of the Washinton Ballet Gala this year and is active with the National Museum of Women in Arts.
Your family recently had a pretty scary car accident. How is everyone?
BB: Thank you. Everyone has bounced back and we are all doing fine. Thank God we walked away with only minor injuries. We already had a feeling of being blessed after our son Paul, who has had three open-heart surgeries and 11 other procedures at Children's National hospital in his 11 years on Earth. Our perspective of what really matters only increased.
Photography by: Photography by Griffin Lipson/BFA.com
