Donald Trump on Fox News Interactions

Donald Trump maintains a complex and evolving relationship with Fox News, often described as a "love-hate" dynamic that is highly transactional in nature. During his time as a media personality and throughout his political career, Trump has frequently utilized Fox News platforms, particularly "Fox & Friends," for promotion and to disseminate his views directly to a sympathetic conservative audience. However, this relationship often sours when the network's news reporting or commentary deviates from his preferred narrative, leading him to publicly criticize hosts and the organization for disloyalty or being insufficiently supportive.

This pattern of seeking favorable coverage while simultaneously attacking unfavorable coverage illustrates Trump's approach, which is sometimes characterized as trying to bully and cajole the network into alignment with his agenda. Even as he attacks parts of the network, other sources suggest he still views Fox News as instrumental to his political success and an essential platform for the Republican base. The relationship has been described as coming closer to state television than anything the United States has previously experienced, given the depth of access and deference he often received, especially from opinion hosts.