On Sunday, President Donald Trump raged at Fox News for not broadcasting his rallies.
It was a surprising turn given that Fox remains the most-watched news outlet in the United States and many of Trump’s most devoted fans still watch it.
“Sad to see that Fox & Friends (Sunday) is not covering our packed house and incredibly enthusiastic (beyond!),” he said. “These Election Rallies were representative of what is really happening with our great Republican Party.”
On one hand, Trump griping about Fox News is not that surprising. He’s clashed with Fox News ever since his first campaign for president when he famously criticized debate moderator Megyn Kelly, saying “you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” He recently criticized host Shannon Bream for displaying outdated photos of his planned ballroom. And Trump understands something about the id of the Fox viewer more than the executives of the network do.
In the grand scheme of Trump’s attacks on the press, this appears, to borrow a Trumpism, like “small potatoes.” Trump banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House premises and is still trying to stiff-arm their coverage.
But a look at the data shows that Trump is in real trouble, including in the states where he’s barnstorming. And the more Trump becomes unpopular, the more he is likely to lash out at Fox since he feels he can influence it the most.
On Saturday, he visited Ohio. On paper, this should be a bank shot for Trump. He turned it from a perpetual swing state to a solid red state. His endorsement of JD Vance in the 2022 primary paved the way for him to become a senator and his running mate in 2024.
Now? Vance’s replacement in the Senate, Jon Husted, is floundering. A New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday showed former Sen. Sherrod Brown beating Husted by three points. And the Republican candidate for governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, is not doing much better. The same poll shows Democratic Amy Acton beating Ramaswamy by four points in the Buckeye State.
Then there is Texas. This might be where Trump’s hubris could cost him more than anything. In May, he chose to endorse ultra-MAGA Attorney General in the primary runoff against incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
But Paxton’s numerous scandals, which led to the Texas state House impeaching him before the state Senate acquitted him, have proven to be an albatross. Paxton’s estranged wife, whom he allegedly cheated on, had to cut an ad this week saying “it’s about getting the whole team across the finish line,” and “that’s why I am voting the Republican ticket on November 3rd.”
And despite pouring millions of dollars into Texas, Democrat James Talarico has a slight lead. If he wins, Talarico would be the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Texas since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Even more alarming, polling is now showing that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term, is now in a competitive race with Democrat Gina Hinojosa.
Even in blood-red Kansas, incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall is in a competitive race.
Trump continues to say this is all a matter of branding, rather than actual anger about his policy on tariffs and the war in Iran, which has only driven prices up.
Furthermore, Trump’s ability to touch on subjects that anger voters has dulled. He’s pushed back on voters’ anger about data centers and AI, fully embracing both and attempting to dub the latter “Super Intelligence.”
But people aren’t buying it. Trump continues to bleed support, and surveys show Democrats are more motivated to turn out than Republicans, as is usually the case in midterm elections with the minority party.
And as time progresses and Trump enters the twilight of his time in politics, expect Fox to be more forward-looking. It will likely have to begin focusing on whatever outrageous comments from Democrats they can amplify while also giving special attention to the 2028 Republican candidates.
Trump may not like it, but the currents of politics are moving away from him. And they are forces stronger than him. Not even Fox can defy them.
