Trump blasts Fox for burying his packed rallies: 'Nothing shows up'
WASHINGTON, DC: In a pointed rebuke of a network he has often praised, President Donald Trump accused Fox News of failing to show the scale and enthusiasm surrounding his latest campaign appearances as he tours the country ahead of the 2026 midterms.
In a Sunday, October 4, Truth Social post, Trump complained that Fox & Friends had not shown his packed Ohio rally or events in Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma, while claiming that other networks were covering the gatherings positively.
Trump said the arenas were sold out, with thousands more people trying to enter, and argued that viewers wanted to see the rallies on Fox.
The network has published coverage of his Ohio appearance, including a report on his support for Republican candidates Jon Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Trump challenges Fox News over rally coverage
Trump’s criticism focused on the prominence of the coverage rather than an outright absence of reporting.
He said Fox "spends more time talking to Communists, Socialists, and Dumocrats, often without rebuttal," and singled out co-host Jessica Tarlov. The network has also regularly featured Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in its coverage
Sad to see that Fox & Friends (Sunday) is not covering our packed house and incredibly enthusiastic (beyond!) Rally that took place in Ohio last night, or the ones in Alabama, Texas, or Oklahoma over the past two days. These Election Rallies were representative of what is really happening with our great Republican Party. They were all sold out, with thousands of people trying to get in, and are absolutely phenomenal, better than ever! It’s the old undercurrent at FoxNews! Other networks are reporting about these Rallies, and really positively, like “crazy!” Our people want to see our Rallies, and reports on our Rallies, on FoxNews, or they will very quickly stop watching (like I am doing right now!). Fix spends more time talking to Communists, Socialists, and Dumocrats, often without rebuttal, and MAGA is not, to put it mildly, happy. We don’t like stupid Jessica Tarlov, and all of the others, that are forced down MAGA’S throats. These Rallies are the hottest things out there, tremendous love in those sold out arenas, and nothing shows up on Fox! Also, phenomenal ratings for those that properly report. Who makes these decisions at FoxNews? Probably the same loser that fired the great Maria Bartiromo because she complained about not being allowed to cover “TRUMP.” She’ll end up bigger and better than ever - watch! Cover our “happenings,” and not the opposition to Greatness for America, or FoxNews will soon have the ratings of FAKE NEWS CNN or MSNOW (MSDNC). Remember, Fox tried this act once before, and almost went out of business (and always right before an election!). That can happen again! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DJT ( TS: Oct 4 2026, 9:11 AM ET )
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 4, 2026
“Other networks are reporting about these Rallies, and really positively,” Trump wrote, arguing that Fox viewers would quickly stop watching if the network continued with what he described as a negative narrative.
The complaint comes as Trump has embarked on an intensive midterm campaign schedule, appearing in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio within days to promote Republican candidates.
His Ohio rally on Saturday centered on Husted’s Senate campaign and Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid.
Maria Bartiromo departure adds another flashpoint
Trump also renewed his attack on Fox over Maria Bartiromo, the longtime Fox Business anchor who left the network last month after more than 12 years.
Fox initially announced her departure without giving a reason, saying only that she was no longer with the company and thanking her for her service.
The New York Times reported that the departure followed Bartiromo sharing internal Fox communications with the White House.
The dispute centered on Fox guidance issued ahead of Trump’s July prime-time speech on election integrity, when executives told journalists not to give further airtime to his claims about the 2020 election.
Bartiromo reportedly shared that guidance with the White House after an interview connected to the speech was dropped.
Bartiromo’s attorney called reports that she was fired over the disclosure “false,” while Fox has maintained that her departure was a business decision without providing further details.
Trump said Bartiromo would ultimately become “bigger and better than ever,” while accusing Fox of repeating the kind of management decision that could alienate its audience.
Trump warns Fox could fall to CNN's ratings
Trump’s warning went beyond individual hosts or programming decisions.
He argued that MAGA supporters could stop watching Fox and compared the possibility with the lower ratings of CNN and MS NOW.
That threat carries significance because Fox remains a major television news outlet.
The network reported 11.5 million viewers for its February coverage surrounding Trump’s State of the Union address and has repeatedly led cable news ratings during major presidential events.
