Fox News anchor John Roberts, a veteran journalist and one of the network’s most familiar faces, has reportedly been hospitalized after contracting what he described as a “severe case of malaria.” The illness has forced the 68-year-old broadcaster to temporarily step away from his role co-anchoring America Reports alongside Sandra Smith.
“I somehow came down with a severe case of malaria,” Roberts wrote Tuesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with malaria. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen.”
Roberts explained that Trace Gallagher, another Fox anchor, has filled in during his absence. He offered his gratitude both to Gallagher for stepping in and to the doctors treating him at Inova Health in Virginia.
The announcement stunned Fox News viewers and Roberts’s colleagues, many of whom quickly shared their support and wished him a speedy recovery. For a journalist who has reported from war zones, presidential campaigns, and the White House briefing room, the diagnosis underscored how even seasoned professionals can be sidelined by health challenges that are more often associated with developing countries than with American hospitals.
Malaria cases in the United States are rare, with most linked to international travel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 2,000 cases are reported domestically each year — a number so small that Roberts’s own physician said he had never before encountered one.
Roberts’s hospitalization offers a reminder of the value of strong medical institutions in the U.S. and the dedication of health professionals who can treat rare diseases that few Americans ever confront. His experience highlights both the unpredictability of such illnesses and the resilience of a news anchor who, even while hospitalized, reached out to thank those stepping up in his absence.
Roberts has long been a central presence at Fox News. Before co-anchoring America Reports, he served as the network’s chief White House correspondent, covering administrations with a firm but fair approach that won him respect across partisan lines. That reputation carried over to his current role, where his steady presence has anchored daytime programming.
While many in media circles expressed shock at the announcement, conservatives also pointed to Roberts’s case as an illustration of America’s continued vulnerability to illnesses imported through global travel — a reality that underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness.
In an era when international borders are more porous than ever, rare diseases can surface suddenly and without warning, placing strain on hospitals and patients alike.
For now, Roberts’s focus remains on recovery, buoyed by prayers, well-wishes, and the competence of the doctors overseeing his care. His message to viewers was characteristically understated: gratitude for his colleagues, acknowledgment of the seriousness of his illness, and reassurance that he is in capable hands.
Fox News has not yet issued a formal statement on Roberts’s condition. But the outpouring of support from across the network made clear that Roberts, a fixture in American journalism, has earned not only the loyalty of his audience but also the respect of his peers.
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