US President Donald Trump has blamed Fox News for the Republican Party's midterm election losses, attacking the network's coverage in a series of late-night Truth Social posts. The comments come as Fox News faces a sharp ratings decline, with its average October audience falling 27 per cent to 1.1 million viewers, and looks set to record its worst-performing month for overall viewers since December 2023.
Trump took to Truth Social to criticise Fox News, writing: 'FoxNews bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse.' He also highlighted the network's declining ratings, claiming 'It's them, not me, My numbers are better than they have ever been.'
In primetime, it attracted fewer than 1.7 million viewers, compared with 2.3 million at the same time last year.
Lachlan Murdoch, Fox's CEO, attributed the decline to 'viewer fatigue', noting that the previous year included major events like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He insisted viewers were not switching to rivals, but figures show CNN and MS Now grew 19 per cent and 13 per cent in primetime respectively.
Analyst Mike Proulx of Forrester said political news consumers often seek affirmation that their side is right and winning when momentum is in their favour; otherwise, people can shut down and seek an escape from reality, resulting in news avoidance. Media analyst Alex DeGroote said Trump has been fantastic for news media, but the second half of his presidency may be less box-office, though friction could lead to more electric viewing.
Fox remains the largest cable news network, with a spokesman highlighting its dominance across platforms, including nearly 4 billion YouTube video views this year. However, the network faces challenges from cord-cutting and changing viewer habits, with a survey finding that smaller shares of Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z than Baby Boomers said traditional TV took up most of their weekly entertainment time.
The complex relationship between Trump and Fox News has been profitable but also costly, including a $US800 million defamation settlement in 2023. As Trump enters his lame-duck period, the network's future ratings remain uncertain, with analyst Alex DeGroote saying it will be 'very quiet and boring when Trump's gone.'
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The slump at Fox News reflects broader shifts in media consumption and political polarization.
- The network's reliance on Trump highlights the risks of hyper-partisan news outlets.
- Changes in viewership patterns could influence future political coverage and elections.
Background
Donald Trump and Fox News have had a symbiotic relationship since his 2016 campaign, with the network providing a platform for his message. However, Trump has frequently criticized Fox when coverage is not favorable, as seen after the midterms. Fox News has faced legal and financial challenges, including a defamation settlement related to its election fraud claims.
Key Perspectives
Donald Trump: claims Fox News' coverage of Democrats caused the midterm losses and is driving away viewers.
Lachlan Murdoch: argues the ratings drop is due to viewer fatigue, not a rejection of Fox News, and that audiences are simply watching less TV overall.
Mike Proulx (Forrester analyst): says political news consumption is driven by seeking affirmation, and when viewers' side loses, they avoid news.
Alex DeGroote (media analyst): describes Trump as a boon for news media but predicts his lame-duck period may be less compelling, though conflict could sustain interest.
What to Watch
- Whether Fox News' ratings recover or continue to fall through 2026.
- How Trump's behavior evolves in his lame-duck presidency and its effect on media coverage.
- The impact of streaming services on cable news, particularly for younger audiences.