Fox News Backstabs Trump
Has Fox News become the new CNN?
Former President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Fox News on Monday morning through a message on his Truth Social platform, urging the network to cease featuring what he described as adversaries. The post, published at 7:24 am, did not specify the exact segment on Fox News that triggered his discontent. Notably, the 7 AM segment of Fox & Friends, a program historically favored by Trump, did not host Democratic guests but included clips such as CNN’s David Axelrod suggesting President Joe Biden should step down and a compilation of Vice President Kamala Harris’s remarks, seemingly intended to mock her speech patterns.
This marked the third consecutive attack by Trump on Fox News over the weekend. On Sunday morning, Trump queried why the network continuously invited what he termed as “warped Biden apologists” like Patrick Murphy, a former congressman. Earlier on Saturday, Trump had directed criticism at John Bussey of the Wall Street Journal, branding him a “real loser” who indulges in self-promotion. Trump urged Fox News to remove Bussey due to his alleged failure to acknowledge the purportedly fabricated accusations against Trump during the Biden administration.
Trump’s strategy of preemptively criticizing entities or individuals to influence a more favorable portrayal is not new. He has consistently targeted Fox News despite the network’s predominantly conservative and pro-Trump stance, particularly evident in its top-rated opinion programming. Despite Trump’s repeated provocations, Fox News has refrained from responding directly, likely a strategic decision aimed at maintaining its substantial and loyal viewer base, many of whom strongly support the former president.
The ongoing friction between Trump and Fox News underscores a broader dynamic within conservative media, where Trump’s influence continues to shape narratives and expectations. His vocal displeasure with perceived bias or unfavorable coverage reflects his ongoing effort to assert control over media narratives, even after leaving office. As the landscape of media and political discourse evolves, Trump’s confrontational approach towards outlets like Fox News remains a pivotal component of his post-presidential strategy.
