Trump Hammers Fox News Over Ratings Crash
In a one-on-one interview with Fox News’s Bret Baier broadcast this week, President Donald Trump served up stinging criticism of the network’s slumping ratings. Trump asserted unequivocally that the network now enjoys “a lot less [viewers] than used to watch it.” His dig came hot on the heels of Fox News conceding primetime ratings ground to MSNBC, marking a jarring reversal of fortunes for the once-dominant right-leaning channel.
Trump’s criticism followed a prompt by Baier, who stated, “More independent voters watch Fox News than any other TV source,” a fact Trump met with his candid remark. His comment underscored a concerning reality for the network – a once-loyal audience, primarily conservative viewers, has begun to drift elsewhere.
The viewership exodus was ignited in April following the termination of Tucker Carlson, the network’s highest-rated primetime host. Fox News suffered a steep loss of over a third of its viewers in the fallout.
A vocal Trump quickly lambasted the network’s struggles on his Truth Social platform. “Fox must get smart fast before it’s too late. Only ‘TRUMP’ can save Fox News. It is in freefall!” he wrote. The former president unambiguously argued that returning to his populist, America-first agenda could reinvigorate the sagging network.
Trump’s words reflect more than just concern about Fox News. They align with his broader belief in his continued political relevance and power. In his conversation with Baier, he noted, “Based on the polls, I’m leading Biden by a lot. Right now, I have the best polls I’ve ever had.” Trump’s conviction that his message still resonates with voters seemingly underpins his assertion that “Only ‘TRUMP’ can save Fox News.”
