On Sunday, former President Donald Trump scolded Fox News for refusing to broadcast his election rallies. The criticism was unexpected, given Fox remains the most‑watched news outlet in the United States and many of Trump’s core supporters tune in there. Trump said, “Sad to see that Fox & Friends (Sunday) is not covering our packed house and incredibly enthusiastic (beyond!),” adding that the rallies “represent what is really happening with our great Republican Party.”
Trump’s frustration with Fox is not new. He has clashed with the network since his first campaign, famously attacking debate moderator Megyn Kelly and later host Shannon Bream for showing outdated photos of his planned ballroom. Although he has banned CNN, MSNBC and Politico from the White House, his current outburst is considered a “small potato” in the broader context of his press attacks.
Polling data suggests Trump is in trouble in the states he is visiting. In Ohio, a once‑swing state that he helped turn red, his replacement senator Jon Husted is trailing former Sen. Sherrod Brown by three points, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy trails Democratic Amy Acton by four. In Texas, the endorsement of Attorney General Ken Paxton, who faces scandals and impeachment, has left Democrat James Talarico ahead, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is now in a competitive race with Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Even in Kansas, incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall faces a tight contest.
Trump continues to frame these setbacks as branding issues rather than policy failures, yet his messaging on tariffs and the Iran war has not resonated with voters. Surveys show Democrats are more motivated to vote than Republicans, a typical midterm pattern. As the political landscape shifts, Fox may focus on amplifying Democratic controversies while preparing for the 2028 Republican field, underscoring that the currents of politics are moving beyond Trump.
