why did tom bergeron leave dwts

Tom Bergeron left Dancing with the Stars after a 15-year tenure because he strongly opposed the show's decision to cast former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer as a contestant in the 28th season. Bergeron viewed the show as a political escape and felt the casting of Spicer, a political figure from a divisive era, crossed a line and betrayed the show's purpose. Despite having a new contract, he protested the decision, offered to take the season off, and was then offered a release from his contract by producers, which angered him. He also publicly criticized the casting decision without naming anyone specifically. Ultimately, he announced his departure from the show in 2020, shortly after the Spicer controversy became public.