Since its launch in 1996, Fox Information has been the main supply of conservative misinformation and propaganda. As a part of its mission to bolster the appropriate and assault the left, the cable information community often ventures into unusual territory that’s extra cringeworthy than politically efficient. And that was more true than ever throughout its slanted protection of the 2024 election.
Listed here are 13 of the worst full-cringe moments from this previous election cycle.
1. Matt Gaetz’s failed nomination was secretly Trump’s plan all alongside
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s nomination by Donald Trump to function his legal professional basic was the president-elect’s first main post-election face-plant. Gaetz’s alleged involvement in intercourse trafficking a minor was an excessive amount of for even Trump to beat. However according to Fox Information pundit Tomi Lahren, it was all a part of Trump’s genius plan.
“I feel this entire factor was very strategic and in my estimation it has the ‘Artwork of the Deal’ written throughout it,” Lahren declared.
2. Thanksgiving is nice once more as a result of Trump received
In keeping with Fox Information, America’s previous few Thanksgivings have been missing a sure one thing—a political win by Trump. So after he received this yr, the community’s high prime-time faces—Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham—declared that their man had made Thanksgiving nice once more together with his victory.
3. Fox host: Trump’s authorized critics deserve the dying penalty
Fox Information often complained when Trump was rightly criticized for his fascist rhetoric and positions. But, only a few days after he received the race, Fox host Dana Perino fed directly into these issues. In keeping with Perino, the dying penalty, together with remedy, is one thing that individuals who have pursued Trump with authorized circumstances ought to face.
4. Fox pundit says vaccines are all about earning profits, not defending public well being
All through the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox repeatedly misinformed its viewers in regards to the virus’ lethality and attacked public well being specialists’ suggestions.
4 years later, Fox visitor and conservative pundit Ben Ferguson—trying to argue in favor of Trump’s Well being and Human Providers nominee, the anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—told viewers to “observe the cash” on vaccine points. Ferguson’s conspiratorial rhetoric was about questioning the necessity for vaccinations, which have saved lives for many years.
5. Fox was so mad that Kamala Harris gave a speech
Days earlier than the election, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a well-received marketing campaign speech from The Ellipse, a park close to the White Home. Fox Information was not having it. Whereas the community needed to cowl the speech to offer the looks of being an actual information community, the right-wing propaganda operation let off steam via the on-screen text shown underneath Harris as she spoke.
“Kamala requires unity whereas trashing Trump,” “Kamala’s last pitch to voters is all about Trump,” and “Kamala delivers darkish closing argument” have been among the many litany of feedback Fox aired.
6. Fox melts down at stories of Trump rally racism
The pre-election rally that Trump held in Madison Sq. Backyard, in New York Metropolis, featured a comic making the racist comment that the island of Puerto Rico is “actually a floating island of rubbish.” In accordance to the team internet hosting “Fox & Associates,” it was fairly unfair for media retailers to report on this factor that occurred.
“They’re specializing in the unsuitable issues,” co-host Ainsley Earhardt fumed.
7. Fox Information alert: Kamala Harris makes use of large phrases
Trump, Fox Information’ most popular candidate previously three elections, infamously makes use of a really restricted vocabulary. Nevertheless, Harris doesn’t converse like Trump, and Fox News argued in September that this was a really unhealthy factor for her to do.
In an interview, Harris used the time period “holistic,” and this triggered Fox. Hannity stated it was a “holistic phrase salad,” whereas Perino mused, “Think about she acquired paid a greenback for each time she stated it.”
8. Fox Information alert, continued: Kamala Harris drinks beer
Throughout an look on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Present,” Harris shared a beer with the host. The second was a lighthearted nod to the trope of voters wanting a candidate they may drink a beer with.
On “Fox & Associates,” Earhardt fretted that the second would possibly make girls voters just like the Democratic nominee, and that by consuming a beer, Harris was ignoring “the border disaster.”
9. Fox cries foul after Harris handles Fox interview effectively
In October, Harris agreed to an interview with Fox Information anchor Bret Baier, regardless of the community’s years of slanted protection of her and the Democratic Get together. Harris ready for the interview, cognizant of how the community would possibly attempt to journey her up. It was one thing that any competent politician would do. Fox couldn’t handle it.
“So moving into, Kamala Harris knew that there have been going to be lots of questions in regards to the border and migration, and he or she had some ready solutions,” “Fox & Associates” host Steve Doocy stated indignantly.
The hosts have been additionally upset that Harris talked about Trump’s title and that she didn’t enable Baier to steamroll her together with his questions. How impolite of her.
10. Fox Information Nervous That Folks May Like Kamala Harris
Fox Information has spent years making an attempt to make each Democratic chief look like unlikeable. However in early October, Harris gave an interview to the “Name Her Daddy” podcast, and Ainsley Earhardt worried that the looks would possibly counteract her employers’ years of labor.
“In the event you’re a lady listening to that podcast and also you don’t know the way progressive she is, you would possibly vote for her,” Earhardt lamented.
11. Trump invents imaginary viewers, spills to “Gutfeld”
Trump appeared for a softball interview with “Gutfeld” host Greg Gutfeld. Whereas joking round with the host, Trump claimed that in his debate with Harris, the gang “went loopy” for one in all his remarks.
Drawback? There was no viewers for the talk. Gutfeld, who certainly watched the occasion, didn’t push again on Trump’s made-up story.
12. Hannity hosts Trump for an additional election conspiracy
Fox Information needed to pay out lots of their cash for pushing pro-Trump lies across the 2020 presidential election, with the community settling for nearly $800 million for selling election conspiracies. However in September, Fox hosted a city corridor with Trump, moderated by Trump fanboy Sean Hannity.
It was there that Trump mused that ABC Information, who hosted a presidential debate between Trump and Harris, would give the Democrat the questions forward of time. It was an absurd allegation, however Hannity had little interest in pushing for proof of the declare.
13. Fox uncovers one other Kamala Harris preparedness scandal
Everybody is aware of that Trump doesn’t keep on message. His speeches and press conferences are a rambling mess as he bounces from grievance to grievance. In contrast, Harris exercised message self-discipline throughout her run.
So far as Fox Information was involved, this was a bad call.
“She has sure themes—she has sure subjects and sure phrases that she has practiced, as a result of she has not been excellent extemporaneously talking,” Steve Doocy, a “Fox & Associates” host, stated.
It’s known as message self-discipline, and traditionally talking, it’s the type of habits related to successful campaigns. However when a Democrat like Harris does it, within the Fox Information universe, it’s a large number.
Fox Information noticed its most popular candidate win this yr’s presidential election, and by all indications, with Republican majorities within the Home and Senate, the community won’t trouble to carry the get together in cost accountable. As a substitute, every part unsuitable would be the fault of the Democrats as a result of once they do something Republicans have completed for eons, it’s unsuitable.
In some way.