Once hailed as a leader of conservative viewpoints, Fox News is now facing a significant exodus of its conservative base, especially supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Steve Bannon, a trusted advisor during the Trump administration, didn’t hold back in his criticism of the network and its owner, Rupert Murdoch. Bannon’s comments, made on a recent podcast, were prompted by Fox News host Brian Kilmeade’s assertion that Trump would falter if he listened to Bannon and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Although Bannon dismissed Kilmeade’s remark, he didn’t spare the Murdoch family, suggesting they manipulated citizenship laws to facilitate the acquisition of Fox Broadcasting, a move he deemed illegal and foreign-influenced.
According to Bannon, these foreign ties are the driving force behind Fox News’ anti-Trump stance, echoing sentiments shared by other Murdoch-owned media outlets.
Kilmeade: "…. And I think if Donald Trump listens to Matt Gaetz and Steve Bannon, he loses. They have to understand that most of the people are not on the extremes. And if you could understand that, you’re going to win. The first one to understand that and does what they think… pic.twitter.com/2KQ19A6uLX
— Wayne DuPree (@WayneDupreeShow) February 27, 2024
Bannon highlighted the network’s soft treatment of GOP figure Nikki Haley as evidence of its neo-liberal, neoconservative leanings, contrasting it with its harsher treatment of Trump. He scoffed at Kilmeade’s warnings against radicals, suggesting Fox News promotes interventionist policies that conflict with Trump’s non-interventionist stance.
In 2022, reports emerged of Fox News sidelining Trump, prompting former employees to speak out against the network’s apparent shift. Dick Morris, a former Fox News analyst, accused Murdoch’s son, Lachlan, and the network’s leadership of pushing Fox to emulate CNN. He criticized Fox’s decision to ban Trump, labeling it as politically motivated and contrary to journalistic integrity, given Trump’s continued relevance in shaping political discourse.
