Trump has a new media problem this time, it’s longtime ally Fox
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has taken direct aim at Fox News, accusing the conservative network of giving prominent Democrats more airtime than Republicans and refusing to highlight what he describes as his administration’s record-setting achievements.
In two posts Wednesday, September 30, Trump questioned why Fox News repeatedly features Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Fox contributor Jessica Tarlov while, in his view, giving Republicans less exposure.
He said this was why “MAGA” supporters and “REAL Patriots” would not like the network, while insisting that “the fight goes on” despite what he called enormous opposition.
The criticism comes days after Fox joined ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN in temporarily suspending pooled television coverage of Trump following the administration’s restrictions on several news organizations.
Trump questions Fox’s political airtime balance
Trump’s first post focused on the people appearing on Fox rather than a single program or host.
He argued that the network repeatedly presents Schumer, Jeffries and Tarlov saying “bad things” about Republicans while Democrats receive more airtime.
He also questioned why the public does not know how well the country is doing, saying the “Fake News Media” refuses to disseminate his administration’s “Record Setting Numbers.”'
Donald J. Trump@realDonaldTrump
— King Trump words (@King_Trumpwords) September 30, 2026
Our Nation is doing really well, in many ways, better than ever before, but the Public just doesn’t know how well we’re doing. The Fake News Media refuses to disseminate our Record Setting Numbers, so I’m doing the best I can to do it myself! pic.twitter.com/BsKBJwcHeG
Trump said he was therefore doing “the best I can” to communicate those achievements himself.
His second post broadened the complaint into a criticism of Fox’s overall narrative, saying the network repeats a “completely negative narrative” before audiences are given a “quick retort.”
Fox and White House tensions resurface
The timing gives the dispute a wider context.
On September 21, Fox News Media joined the other four members of the White House television pool in suspending pooled coverage after CNN was barred from participating in its scheduled assignment.
Bryan Boughton, who runs the Fox News Washington bureau and is the current TV pool chair, says in an email; ”This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) September 21, 2026
“This follows the White House’s position…
The networks said the public had a vital interest in independent information about the government.
Coverage resumed after a federal judge restored CNN’s access.
Fox remains a major television news outlet.
In August, Fox News Channel averaged 2.126 million viewers in primetime and 1.354 million across the full day, according to Nielsen figures released by the network.
The relationship is also unusual because the administration has simultaneously used taxpayer funds for television advertising featuring Trump.
“Paid for by the U.S. Government”: The Trump administration is airing a taxpayer-funded, pro-Trump ad on Fox News and Newsmax featuring Trump declaring: “America will never be a communist country,” while on-screen text touts the “largest tax cuts in history.”
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 26, 2026
The White House… pic.twitter.com/jEh12XrHch
At least $2.5 million has been spent on the ads, according to AdImpact, and one spot aired on Fox News.
The White House calls the material public-service announcements.
Fox has also drawn its own red lines
Trump’s criticism comes as Fox News has shown signs of drawing clearer distinctions between the network and the president on some major issues.
In July, Fox executives reportedly directed the network to avoid amplifying Trump’s repeated claims about the 2020 election while the president was preparing a prime-time address on election security.
2/ President Trump was preparing a rare primetime address on Communist China’s VAST capabilities to interfere in American elections.
— Peter Navarro (@RealPNavarro) September 10, 2026
Maria Bartiromo booked me for the next morning.
Hours later, she sent me a message from Fox Business programming chief Ralph Giordano: “We don’t… pic.twitter.com/lXWMYPZ1Nr
The decision came after Fox’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over broadcasts that had promoted false claims about the company’s voting machines.
The network has nevertheless maintained a close relationship with Trump and his administration.
In 2025, Trump appointed Fox personalities Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham to the Kennedy Center board while they remained active at the network.
Fox hosts have also moved into prominent government roles, including Pete Hegseth becoming defense secretary.
