CNBC’s Rick Santelli to Retire After More Than 27 Years

Rick Santelli, a long-time CNBC markets correspondent, is retiring after more than two and a half decades at the business network. His final day on air is slated for October 2, though he intends to continue working as a contributor. Santelli's tenure began in 1999, after first appearing on CNBC in 1994, and he became renowned for his reporting on financial markets, Federal Reserve decisions, and major economic reports, primarily from Chicago.

CNBC editor in chief David Cho praised Santelli for his "passion and personality," noting his ability to "challenge conventional thinking." Before joining CNBC, Santelli spent years in financial markets, starting at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 1979. His role extended beyond business news in 2009 when his fiery criticism of the Obama administration's housing rescue plan became linked to the Tea Party movement.

In 2020, Santelli had a heated exchange with "Squawk Box" co-anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin during a discussion on COVID-19 restrictions. His retirement arrives as CNBC undergoes significant changes following its separation from Comcast/NBCUniversal. The network is reshaping its newsroom and expanding its digital operations, with Ken Brown, a veteran of The Information, appointed as managing editor of digital and editorial strategy. CNBC plans to honor Santelli's career on air in the weeks leading up to his departure.