Ex-Fox News host Chris Wallace is leaving CNN.

This comes, according to CNN, just three years after he left Fox for CNN.

Wallace, as we will see, is claiming that he is leaving the network of his own free will to explore other opportunities, particularly opportunities in the social media world.

However, new reports suggest that something else may be behind Wallace's sudden departure.

It's confirmed

CNN chief executive Mark Thompson has confirmed that Wallace is on his way out.

He said:

Chris Wallace is one of the most respected political journalists in the news business with a unique track record across radio, print, broadcast television, cable television and streaming. We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he’s brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for the future.

Wallace has also released his own statement on the matter.

The Daily Beast reports:

The 77-year-old broadcaster said he will instead find a new home on an independent platform such as streaming or podcasting, which he described as “where the action seems to be.” He highlighted how podcasters including Joe Rogan and Charlamagne tha God had set the agenda during the presidential election, but added, “I don’t flatter myself to think I will have that sort of reach.”

Wallace is probably right about that.

There is more to the story

A report from the New York Post suggests that there may be more to Wallace's departure than initially meets the eye.

"CNN anchor Chris Wallace was reportedly told his two poorly rated shows would be canceled and his massive salary slashed before the veteran journalist announced he would leave the network," the outlet reports.

It continues, "Wallace, who was being paid a reported $7 million a year, was informed that he was welcome to stay on as an analyst but at a much lower salary as part of CEO Mark Thompson’s vast cost-cutting initiatives, according to Puck News."

This was when Wallace decided to part ways with CNN. So, if this reporting is true then Wallace's departure was not exactly of his own volition, but rather he was pushed into quitting after being told that he salary would be cut.

If you have watched Wallace before, then none of this will be that surprising. These days, he struggles to find a following. But, then again, so does just about everyone else who works for CNN.