Juan Williams announces he’s leaving ‘The Five’

Juan Williams, liberal co-host of Fox News’s “The Five,” announced on Wednesday that he is leaving the show.

Williams, who is also a columnist for The Hill, made the announcement during the “One More Thing” segment of the show. He said he decided to stay in Washington, D.C., when the show resumes filming at its studio at Fox News Media’s headquarters in New York City.

The Five is set to begin filming from headquarters again on June 1. 

“COVID taught me a lot of lessons. As the show goes back to the New York studio, I’ll be staying in D.C.,” Williams said.

Williams’s last day at the show was Wednesday. He said he will continue to be a Fox News political analyst and will be working for the network from D.C.

“You know, it’s been going on seven years since I have been a daily host of this show,” Williams said. “The show’s popularity has grown every single year, so thank you. Thank you so much to you, the viewers. Thank you.”

Megan Albano, vice president of “The Five” and weekend programming, confirmed in a statement to The Hill that Williams left to stay closer to family. 

“As Juan Williams announced on air today, he will be leaving The Five to live in Washington, DC full time. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to the show and its success over the last several years,” Albano said. 

“As we started planning The Five’s return to its New York City studio at our headquarters a few months ago, Juan decided to stay in Washington, DC permanently. We accommodated his request, understanding and appreciating his desire to remain closer to his family, recognizing that a remote co-hosting role on a roundtable in-studio program was not a long-term option,” she continued. “While we will miss his insightful contributions each night and look forward to welcoming him on set whenever he’s in New York, we are pleased to have him continue his longtime role as a senior political analyst with FOX News Media.”

After Williams’s announcement, the network aired a montage of light-hearted moments of Williams interacting with his co-hosts.

A spokesperson for the network said “The Five” will use rotating liberal co-hosts until a replacement for Williams is named.