President Donald Trump and his political allies have publicly escalated attacks against Fox News ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump criticized the network on Truth Social for hosting Democratic candidates like Abdul El-Sayed and Charles Booker while urging followers to watch alternative conservative outlets. The friction comes as Fox News' Power Rankings predict Democrats will capture at least 223 House seats to take the majority, alongside Nielsen ratings indicating Fox's October total viewership dropped 27 percent year-over-year to 1.1 million viewers.
Donald Trump attacks Fox News
- ▪President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Fox News is doing little to help Republican candidates and blamed media coverage for close midterm races.
- ▪President Donald Trump urged his supporters to watch the Right Side Broadcasting Network instead of Fox News, accusing Fox News of attempting to be politically correct.
- ▪President Donald Trump criticized Fox News on Truth Social for airing interviews with Democratic candidates, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Kentucky Senate candidate Charles Booker.
- ▪During a March 2026 interview on The Five, President Donald Trump criticized Fox News' polling operation, calling their polls terrible.
Trump allies criticize Fox News
- ▪Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon criticized Fox News in July 2026 for failing to highlight claims of election fraud made by President Donald Trump.
- ▪Senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro encouraged President Donald Trump's supporters to turn off Fox News following the network's departure with host Maria Bartiromo in September 2026.
Fox News midterm election projections
- ▪Fox News Power Rankings shifted the Ohio Senate race to lean Democratic and adjusted House races toward Democrats in Kentucky's 6th district and North Carolina's 11th district.
- ▪Fox News Power Rankings published in October 2026 predicted that Democrats will win at least 223 House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
- ▪Fox News Decision Desk contributor Rémy Numa characterized the battle for control of the United States Senate as a toss-up in October 2026.
Congressional composition before 2026 midterms
- ▪Republicans held 53 Senate seats, Democrats held 45 seats, and independents held 2 seats leading into the November 2026 midterm elections.
- ▪Republicans held 218 House seats while Democrats held 214 seats ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
October 2026 cable viewership ratings
- ▪Fox News averaged 1.1 million total viewers throughout October 2026, marking a 27 percent decline compared to October 2025.
- ▪MS NOW averaged 588,000 daily viewers during October 2026, representing a 16 percent increase from October 2025.
- ▪Fox News averaged 98,000 viewers in the 25-54 age demographic during October 2026, representing its lowest-rated month in that demographic in 25 years and a 32 percent year-over-year decrease.
Hannity and Earhardt wedding
- ▪Fox News anchors Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt hosted their wedding rehearsal dinner
- ▪White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino attended the wedding of Fox News anchors Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt
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