Has Fox News Kissed And Made Up With Donald Trump? Or Is Fox Looking To Set Him Up?
In the wake of reality TV star and Republican Presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s string of personal attacks on Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, it seemed like the damage caused between Fox and The Donald was beyond repair. However, on Monday, Trump tweeted out that he had received a phone call from Fox chief Roger Ailes stating that the network would be fair to him going forward. You have to believe that, in Donald’s mind, this means that Fox will commence immediately to kissing his ass.
Roger Ailes just called. He is a great guy & assures me that “Trump” will be treated fairly on @FoxNews. His word is always good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2015
After Trump had sent his tweet, media insiders stated that the real estate mogul and leader in the GOP polls was scheduled to appear on Fox News for at least two interviews Tuesday. Both appearances would be on the two programs that have been extremely friendly to Trump this whole time — Fox & Friends and Hannity.
Just in: @realDonaldTrump booked on @FoxAndFriends tomorrow morning. Possibly Hannity as well. Update: http://t.co/XWT0ktQKco
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 10, 2015
BREAKING: I hear @realDonaldTrump is booked on Fox&Friends and Hannity
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) August 10, 2015
The @FoxNews – @realDonaldTrump show continues: Donald Trump will be on @foxandfriends & @seanhannity tomorrow, sources confirm.
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) August 10, 2015
Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy — one of the network’s biggest Trump cheerleaders — confirmed that Trump would be on Tuesday morning to discuss his feud with the network over the GOP debate and his Megyn Kelly “blood” comments.
FOX NEWS ALERT: watch @foxandfriends Tuesday at 7am ET as GOP frontrunner @realDonaldTrump talks about his relationship with @FoxNews
— Steve Doocy (@SteveDoocy) August 10, 2015
Now, it should be noted that Trump has not backed off of his comments about Kelly. In fact, he’s actually demanded that she apologize to him for asking him such mean questions at the debate. He also railed against Fox News over the weekend and Monday morning over how unfairly he believes they’ve treated him, especially since he was the main reason the Thursday night debate was such a ratings success.
Considering that Fox considers itself not only the place for conservatives and Republicans to get their news but also a gatekeeper for GOP politics, is it possible that Fox is looking to bait The Donald by offering a peace pipe via Doocy and Hannity, only to plan to completely knife him in one of those two appearances? (Likely the Hannity one.) Does Ailes see this as a way to finally kill the Frankenstein monster he largely helped create?
Maybe. It is widely known that Ailes is a Trump fan and that he supports his stance and ugly comments on immigration. But, at the same time, Fox owner Rupert Murdoch cannot stand Trump. Ailes also realizes that Trump has completely made a mockery of the GOP and its presidential primary process with his buffoonery, and despite his love for Trump, his love of party stands above. Finally, Trump attacked the network’s biggest star — sorry, O’Reilly — and Ailes and Co. will not just let that easily go by the wayside.
One thing is for certain, though. Fox will continue to milk the ratings cow that is Trump at least a little bit longer.
