Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has been showering the conservative news network, Fox News, with favors, scoops, and exclusive interviews. The channel, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, has been rewarded with the first TV interview with the 47th President in the Oval Office, given to well-connected anchor Sean Hannity.
Fox News has been the big winner on the broadcast battlefield, with its ratings soaring to 71% of primetime news channel viewers, extending its lead over competitors CNN and MSNBC. The channel’s popularity has allowed it to reach a wide audience, including Democrats and independents, who watched the inauguration on a cable news channel.
The Trump administration has a symbiotic relationship with Fox News, which serves as a megaphone for the President’s message and provides a platform for his loyal following, known as the “MAGA” crowd. The channel’s evening programming is particularly popular, with its hosts rapturously welcoming the President’s return to power. “We’re back to work. We’re not collecting checks in our pajamas anymore,” said anchor Jesse Watters, taking aim at the Biden administration.
The relationship between Trump and Fox News has not always been smooth, however. The President has condemned the channel in the past, particularly during the 2020 presidential election. Some Fox News commentators have also distanced themselves from Trump, including after the violent attack on the Capitol by his supporters in 2021. Nevertheless, the channel remains a key player in the media landscape, and its influence is not likely to fade anytime soon. As one expert noted, “Fox News has a lot of clout with congressional elites… it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.”