Fox News Is Becoming a Haven for Trump Allies
Despite its repeated claims that it is a news outlet, Fox has increasingly embraced pro-Trump personalities as hirees.
Fox News hired Kayleigh McEnany, the network announced on Tuesday, adding another Trump personality to its ledger of increasingly Pro-Trump talent. The recent hire comes after a collection of other Pro-Trump officials and associates were brought onto the network, further tightening Fox’s connection with the former president.
Despite its claims to objectivity and journalistic integrity, Fox has consistently shown a willingness to give access to Trump and his acolytes, mudding the waters of their coverage. The Huffington Post reported on Monday that Lara Trump, former President Trump’s daughter-in-law, was brought onto the network as a paid contributor, receiving a warm welcome from Fox and Friends.
Trump family members are not the only ones finding employment with Fox; former officials are as well. Earlier this year, ABC News reported that Fox hired Trump’s former director for the National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow. The network announced that the former Trump official would have his own weekday show, as well as a position as a commentator on all of Fox’s platforms. Kudlow’s experience “intuitive on-air presence will add depth and insight to our business analysis programming” Fox CEO Suzzane Scott explained in a statement.
The recent hires bring a dimension to the relationship Fox has with the former President and his allies, as Trump’s campaign lambasted Fox after they called Arizona in favor of Joe Biden during the 2020 election. Indeed, Trump consistently promoted their more conspiratorial rival, OAN despite them having a smaller audience than Fox.
Despite this, Trump and Fox’s relationship seems to be turning over a new leaf, as the recent hires of Trump allies shows. Fox has given the former President his desired coverage, something that he can longer receive after his Twitter ban. Already, Fox has given Trump a platform to engage in the rhetoric that launched his bid for the presidency in 2016, suggesting that the hap-hazard alliance between the two could be rebuilding itself. However, with the relative calm of the Biden administration, Fox’s ability to rebuild Trump’s career beyond appealing to his audience will likely be limited.
Still, with the recent additions to Fox, it is almost certain that Trumpism will remain a strong fixture in right-wing media for years to come.