Trace Gallagher was born as Tracy G. Gallagher on September 10, 1961, in San Diego, California. He graduated from Mammoth High School before attending Antelope Valley College and later the University of San Diego, where he studied business while playing quarterback for the Toreros football team. After college, he began his broadcasting career at local television stations in Yuma, Arizona, Boise, Idaho, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Orlando, Florida. 

Gallagher joined Fox News Channel when the network launched in 1996. He initially served as a correspondent before becoming a co-anchor of The Live Desk and a frequent substitute anchor for Studio B and Fox Report. Over the years, he has covered several major stories, including Middle East conflicts, the Southeast Asian tsunami, and Hurricane Harvey. 

In 2022, Fox named Gallagher permanent anchor of Fox News @ Night, succeeding Shannon Bream. Bream departed from the show after being named the permanent host of Fox News Sunday. As of 2026, Trace Gallagher continues to host  Fox News @ Night while serving as the network’s chief breaking news correspondent.