Rob Finnerty

Rob Finnerty
BornMay 1, 1982 (1982-05) (age 42)
Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materFairfield University
OccupationNews host
Years active2004–present
TelevisionNewsmax
News Host
(2021–present)
WTSP 10 Tampa Bay
Morning Anchor
(2017–2020)
KCTV Kansas City
(2016–2017)
KBAK Bakersfield
NECN New England Cable News

Rob Finnerty (born May 1, 1982) is an American television news anchor and host. He previously hosted the morning news/talk program Wake Up America on Newsmax TV.[1] In October 2024, Finnerty started hosting a nightly Newsmax primetime show, Finnerty, starting October 8th. Finnerty airs at 8 pm ET, a timeslot previously occupied by Eric Bolling before exiting Newsmax earlier in the year.[2]

Early life and education

Finnerty was born in Massachusetts and attended Fairfield University in Connecticut.[3]

Career

Finnerty worked for WTSP in Tampa Bay as a morning news anchor.

He also worked for one year at KCTV in Kansas City and KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, California.[1]

He currently works at Newsmax TV.

Controversies

In November 2008, Finnerty was charged with homicide and operating under the influence after hitting and killing a pedestrian in Boston.[4](better source needed then this paywall[citation needed])[5] The homicide charges were ultimately dropped when Suffolk District Attorney dismissed the charge[6](better source needed then this paywall[citation needed]) when a collision analysis report showed there was no way any driver – impaired or sober – could have avoided striking the pedestrian when he stepped into the street, Finnerty pleaded guilty to OUI in November 2009.[7](better source needed then this paywall[citation needed])

On May 10, 2021, Finnerty made national headlines when he confronted former Obama speechwriter David Litt for trying to insert Newsmax criticisms during an interview about Elon Musk and Saturday Night Live.[8]

On April 1, 2022, Finnerty interrupted his show with the false breaking news that "Russia has apparently surrendered" to Ukraine, then asking unaware guest Mark Halperin for his thoughts.[9] When Halperin began to respond, Finnerty cut him off "to gleefully say that the whole thing was a prank" and mock Halperin for falling for it, upsetting fellow Newsmax employees behind the scenes, according to several news outlets.[10]

Personal life

He is married with two children – a son and a daughter.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b Roa, Ray. "Former Tampa Bay news anchor Rob Finnerty now works for Trump's favorite channel Newsmax". Creative Loafing.
  2. ^ Newsmax Tabs Rob Finnerty to Host New Primetime Program
  3. ^ "Rob Finnerty Bio". Fact Profiles. February 19, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "WEEI Guy Charged in Fatal Crash". Boston Herald. November 18, 2008.
  5. ^ https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/transcript-tab/2008/11/19/man-killed-by-drunk-driver/40467568007/
  6. ^ "Homicide rap dropped in fatal OUI". November 6, 2009.
  7. ^ "Homicide Rap Dropped in Fatal OUI". Boston Herald. November 6, 2009.
  8. ^ "Ex-Obama speechwriter confronts Newsmax host over false election claims". Yahoo. Axios.
  9. ^ Falzone, Diana (April 9, 2022). "Newsmax 'Furious' Over Anchor's 'Embarrassing' April Fools' Joke About Russia". Daily Beast.
  10. ^ Getahun, Hannah. "Newsmax employees are furious after an anchor falsely said on air that Russia surrendered to Ukraine as part of an April Fools' prank, report says". Insider.
  11. ^ "Rob Finnerty Bio". Fact Profiles. February 19, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.