Trump Revisits Threat of Shutting Down Fox News Over Its Coverage

President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) vented strong frustration on Truth Social, accusing Fox News' morning current affairs show "Fox & Friends" of failing to properly cover his midterm campaign rallies. Trump said he had campaigned over the past two days in Ohio, Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma, claiming that "every one was packed, thousands were trying to get in, and it was more incredible than ever."

In Trump's view, the problem was not the coverage but the network's loyalty. He slammed the lack of rally coverage as "Fox News' old loyalty problem," warning that if the network keeps this up, his supporters will stop watching Fox News. He also complained that "Fox News spends more time talking with communists, socialists, and dummy Democrats — often without even a rebuttal."

This is not the first time Trump has voiced such grievances. On October 30, he publicly attacked Fox News for frequently hosting Democratic leaders such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as opposition-leaning political commentators, allowing them to heap criticism on him.

Trump demanded that Fox News "report on what is happening to us, not on the forces opposed to the greatness of America." He also warned: "Fox News tried this right before an election in the past and almost shut down — and it could happen again."

With the midterm elections approaching — where forecasts suggest the Republican Party could lose not only the House but also its Senate majority — Trump has publicly aired his rift with Fox News, the largest broadcaster in the conservative camp.