Fact Check: Did George Will report Fox News cut away from Trump mid-speech?
WASHINGTON, DC: In mid-February 2026, a rumor circulated online claiming that Fox News abruptly cut away from President Donald Trump mid-speech during a Cabinet meeting because he appeared to be 'falling apart'.
The rumor circulated largely through a YouTube video that purportedly featured conservative columnist George Will making the statement. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: George Will reported Fox News cut away from Trump mid-speech
The YouTube video, titled '1 Minute Ago: Trump Falls Apart Staff Handling Him Legacy Panic & Black History Erasure |George Will', garnered more than 1.5 million views before it was taken down.
The video's text description read, "Something extraordinary happened this week — and almost nobody is talking about it. During a cabinet meeting filled with confusing economic claims and rambling remarks, Fox News abruptly cut away from Donald Trump mid-speech. No spin. No cleanup. No defensive commentary. Just a commercial break."
"When even a network that has spent years defending him decides they can't keep airing the footage, it raises serious questions," the description added.
The clip also featured a disclaimer, stating, "This video contains political commentary and analysis based on publicly available information, news reporting, and opinion. The views expressed are for informational and educational purposes. Allegations and claims referenced in this video reflect publicly reported events and ongoing legal matters. Viewers are encouraged to consult multiple sources and form their own conclusions."
Interestingly, versions of the claim also went viral on Facebook, X, and TikTok.
Fact Check: False, clip was generated using AI tools
The claims in the viral clip are false, as the video was fabricated and appeared to have been created using deepfake artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Moreover, the narration and visuals were manipulated to make it seem as though Will made comments, but he did not. The thumbnail image also appears to have been digitally altered or AI-generated.
No reputable media outlet covered any such news, and there was no record of Will making these statements in his Washington Post columns, on his social media accounts, or during any recent television appearances.
The viral clip claims Fox News stopped airing Trump mid-speech. However, there was no evidence of such an incident occurring in the way it has been described.
Furthermore, no credible news outlets reported that Fox News cut away from a Cabinet meeting in February 2026, and there was no verified broadcast footage supporting the video's narrative.
In the video, Will's mouth and head movements looked unnatural, and the voice also sounded synthetic, with odd emphasis and intonation. These were signs that suggested the clip was digitally created.
