President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Fox News on Tuesday, accusing the network of providing airtime to candidates opposing Republicans. He mentioned Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as an example. Trump alleged that Fox was favoring Democrats and other political opponents, thereby neglecting the MAGA movement.
Trump’s remarks appeared in two Truth Social posts, where he criticized Fox for covering both El-Sayed and Dan Osborn, a Nebraska Senate candidate running as an independent. He argued that Fox was giving undue exposure to political rivals while not adequately highlighting Republican candidates and his rallies. This criticism highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Fox News, a network influential among Republican voters.
The White House, when contacted for comments on Tuesday, directed Newsweek to Trump’s Truth Social posts. Newsweek also sought responses from Fox News, Osborn, El-Sayed, and Senator Pete Ricketts through email.
This dispute arises as candidates from both parties intensify their efforts before the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Michigan’s Senate race is one of the most closely monitored contests. Democrats see it as key to securing control of the Senate.
Interview with El-Sayed
Trump specifically criticized Fox anchor Martha MacCallum’s interview with El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official, now the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat. Trump accused Fox of “spending more time covering the Jihadist and Dumocrat candidates than the good old fashioned Republicans.” He described the interview with El-Sayed as a “softball interview,” claiming, “She never interviews me like that.”
Former President Barack Obama plans to campaign alongside El-Sayed at a Detroit rally on October 24, with other Michigan Democrats attending. This event underscores the importance national Democrats attach to this election.
El-Sayed previously defeated former Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary and will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election. Surveys indicate a competitive race, with recent polls showing a narrow margin between the candidates. A Fox News poll, conducted from September 24 to September 28, positioned El-Sayed at 50 percent, ahead of Rogers at 49 percent among likely voters. A Trafalgar Group poll from September 28 to September 30 showed El-Sayed leading 47 percent to 45 percent. Other surveys, including a Marist University poll and a Big Data Poll, offered El-Sayed a wider advantage.
Expanding Criticism Beyond Fox News
Beyond El-Sayed’s coverage, Trump’s frustration with Fox persists. Shortly after his initial post, Trump criticized the network for airing a long-form interview with Osborn, who challenges GOP’s Ricketts. Trump labeled Osborn a “sleazebag” and questioned Fox’s motives for giving the independent candidate ample airtime. “Why are they doing this???” he pondered, asserting that left-wing media outlets do not afford similar exposure to Republican candidates.
Trump contended that Fox wasn’t adequately covering his rallies and achievements, accusing it of “promoting the Dumocrats, not the Republicans and MAGA” and declared that the network had “totally lost their way.” These public criticisms of Fox are not new, even though the network remains a significant platform for Republican politicians and conservative voters.
Recurring Criticisms
Throughout the 2024 Republican presidential primary, Trump accused Fox News of favoring his main rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In June 2023, Trump demanded that “FOX should embrace MAGA” and accused the network of “pushing Ron DeSanctus” over him. Reports by The Hill noted Trump’s ongoing criticisms of Fox’s coverage of DeSantis’ presidential campaign. Additionally, Trump has often attacked Fox’s polling methods, claiming they underestimate his support. Last month, he referred to Fox’s polls as “the worst in the whole business” after the network released polls showing unfavorable numbers regarding his voter support.
Trump’s disputes with Fox also extend to individual personalities. He has had public disagreements with former Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, accusing him of unfair treatment during interviews and the first 2020 presidential debate.
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