President Donald Trump took to Truth Social over the weekend to launch a scathing critique of Fox News reporter Peter Doocy for conducting what he deemed a "politically correct" interview with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D). The interview occurred as the impasse between Republicans and Democrats over government funding entered its second week, with both parties blaming each other for the stalemate.
The contentious interview, which aired Sunday, centered on the healthcare subsidies that Democrats are seeking to incorporate into a deal to end the shutdown—a move opposed by Republicans who insist such matters should be addressed independently of federal spending. Trump's frustration was evident in his social media post, where he questioned the motives behind Fox News providing a platform for Democratic viewpoints without sufficient opposition.
Peter Doocy, known for his assertive questioning of the Biden administration, has gained acclaim among conservative circles. However, his restrained demeanor during the interview with Senator Kelly raised eyebrows among Trump supporters, who have come to expect more confrontational coverage of Democratic policies from him.
"Why is FoxNews and Peter Doocy putting on Democrat Senator Mark Kelly to talk about, totally unabated or challenged, Healthcare?" Trump wrote. "The FAKE SPIN is so bad for Republicans that it is hard to believe that we WIN."
Trump further accused Fox of catering to its Republican viewership for ratings, only to pivot and serve Democratic interests. He claimed the network refused to acknowledge polls that purportedly show his popularity at an all-time high for a Republican.
This latest episode marks a continuation of Trump's increasingly fraught relationship with Fox News, which has shifted from being his staunch media ally to a target of his ire for what he perceives as politically correct reporting, as noted by Trending Politics. The tension has been exacerbated by Trump's legal team suing Fox owner Rupert Murdoch for defamation related to a Wall Street Journal article on Trump's past ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
Conservative media figures backing Trump have reiterated his assertion that Democrats are prolonging the shutdown, arguing that their healthcare subsidy demands would benefit illegal immigrants at the taxpayers' expense. Republican leaders contend that this dispute is indicative of a larger pattern of Democratic obstructionism that threatens border security and fiscal discipline.
Trump concluded his series of posts with a direct message to Fox News: "Fox should either get on board or get off board, NOW, but at this point, it just doesn’t make any difference to me." He suggested that Fox's audience loyalty stems from his movement rather than the network's editorial stance, emphasizing the weariness among Republicans over what he calls Fox's politically correct tendencies.
The ongoing feud underscores the recurrent tension between Trump and major media outlets as he continues to influence the messaging of the Republican Party ahead of the next election cycle. Observers note that while Trump's criticism may exert pressure on Fox, it also highlights his sustained sway over the GOP base.
