DeSantis & Trump Prove Fox’s Power Remains Unshaken Amid Challenges

Last updated Jul 5, 2023

2024 GOP Presidential Contenders: Fox News Interviews Display Media Influence

Despite recent challenges, Fox News remains a crucial media platform for Republicans, as demonstrated by the contrasting interview experiences of the two leading GOP presidential contenders. Trump and DeSantis.

Trump Grilled by Bret Baier While DeSantis Enjoys Softball Session with Kayleigh McEnany

Donald Trump’s interview with Bret Baier was a newsworthy affair, with Baier pressing the former president on his indictment for hoarding confidential documents and challenging his false claims about the 2020 election. In contrast, Ron DeSantis’ session with Trump’s former press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, was far gentler, focusing on Florida’s economy, “culture war” issues, and DeSantis’ stance on pandemic-era lockdowns.

Fox News Still the Media Kingmaker for Republican Presidential Hopefuls

Despite financial setbacks due to the $787 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems and ratings struggles following Tucker Carlson’s firing, Fox News remains the go-to media outlet for Republicans who want to be president. This influence was evident when Fox announced that Baier and Martha MacCallum would moderate the first Republican presidential primary debate on August 23.

Conservative Media Landscape Expands While Fox News Maintains Dominance

While there are more media outlets catering to Republicans than ever before, such as Ben Shapiro’s “Daily Wire,” Fox News still reaches the most conservatives in the country. “They’re not as dominant as they once were, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not dominant,” says talk show host Erick Erickson.

Fox News’ Agenda-Setting Role Remains Powerful Despite Troubles

Despite its recent issues, Fox News retains a powerful agenda-setting role, particularly in the wake of Trump’s indictment. Many conservative media personalities are watching closely to see if a majority of Fox News hosts begin favoring one candidate over another, potentially attracting attention by taking a different stance.

Story at www.tampabay.com – 2023-06-23 01:29:08