Posted on 08/11/2015 3:11:01 PM PDT by GoneSalt
The real reason Fox News gave in decided to play nice with Donald Trump is that they were flooded with criticism from their viewers after Megyn Kelly went after the top Republican candidate.
Donald Trump returned to Fox and Friends this morning, where he was given his usual diet of Charmin fresh softballs to ramble on about. What was interesting about his appearance was that it even happened. Trump’s return to Fox marked a complete capitulation by the network after they tried to run him off of the stage during the first Republican debate.
After Fox News had tried to ruin Trump’s candidacy during the debate, they were stunned by a viewer rebellion where Fox News watchers took the side of Trump over the network’s prized big star Megyn Kelly.
New York Magazine detailed the unexpected Fox News viewers rebellion:
According to two high-level Fox sources, Ailes’s diplomacy was the result of increasing concern inside Fox News that Trump could damage the network. Immediately following Thursday’s debate, Fox was deluged with pro-Trump emails. The chatter on Twitter was equally in Trump’s favor. “In the beginning, virtually 100 percent of the emails were against Megyn Kelly,” one Fox source, who was briefed on the situation, told me. “Roger was not happy. Most of the Fox viewers were taking Trump’s side.”
Things got worse for Ailes over the weekend. In a phone conversation, Trump told Sean Hannity that “he was never doing Fox again,” according to one person with knowledge of the call. The anti-Kelly emails, and threat of a boycott by Trump, seem to have pushed Ailes to defuse the war. One Fox personality told me that Fox producers gave instructions to tell in-house talent not to bring up Trump’s controversial comments that Kelly had “blood coming out of her wherever” during the debate. According to one count, Fox only aired Trump’s comment once since Friday, while CNN mentioned it at least 50 times.
In recent days, Ailes got a glimpse of what a Trump-less Fox News would look like. On Sunday, Trump called in to the four other public-affairs shows; this morning he gave interviews to Today and Morning Joe. Inside Fox, this was alarming. “This thing with Megyn got way ahead of Roger and bigger than he must have thought,” one Fox personality said. “Roger wants this to blow over,” another source added. “He’s upset that conservatives are mad at Fox.” Online, Ailes also took flak. Both the Drudge Report and Breitbart News carried pro-Trump headlines.
If Fox News ever lost the backing of conservatives, the network would be toast. Fox News doesn’t many moderate or liberal viewers. Their audience is overwhelmingly conservative Republicans. As a matter of survival, Ailes could not have his viewers favorite candidate boycotting his network.
The leadership at Fox obviously doesn’t understand their audience. Viewers support the bigotry, misogyny, and sexism of Trump. Racism and bigotry are two of the main reasons why Trump is so popular with Republican voters.
Fox News has lost control of zombie army that they created. Donald Trump uses the same strategies as Fox News, but in many ways, he does them better. Fox News made Trump into a political figure by giving him a platform, but the billionaire has evolved and stolen the hearts of their audience.
The network’s debate strategy backfired. Trump has gained in popularity. One of their biggest stars was criticized, and conservatives rebelled. Big bad Fox News was brought to its knees as Donald Trump demonstrated that Fox is far from unbeatable.
Why bring up the Trump/O’Donald feud 9 years ago? Why have the head of the DNC on after the Debate? Why ask—”When you became a Republican?” That was just snarky. Putin isn’t going to ask that of a President Trump. Viewers would respect hard—honest — questions but Megyn looked like she was out for blood—she hated and would try to bring down Trump—and it did look like a plan—with Lutze Group, Krauthammer (who is a known Trump hater).
You forgot Steve Douchey... er.. Doocy.
The bigger outrage was her snarky question to Cruz, ‘Any Word From God?’
Fear walking dead premiers August 23 so I will feel at home again.
Can I ask about your screen name? Are you a black adder fan?
The first presidential primary is going to be the downfall of Trump. Not the debates.
“We called this Projection when I was a child!”
Unfortunately I missed out on a classical education...our term for it was ‘I know you are, but what am I?’ ;) /Noon post
Where are you going to go for TV news? MSNBC?
If it was the usual bile and garbage, I wouldn’t bother...but if it shows their strategy/intent...? /Noob post
Quote:
“......The leadership at Fox obviously doesn’t understand their audience. Viewers support the bigotry, misogyny, and sexism of Trump. Racism and bigotry are two of the main reasons why Trump is so popular with Republican voters. “
Care to say that to my face, punk?
That’s to the limp-wristed author of the article, not any Freepers.
Me too, Jason.
OAN & news ax tv. I’m done wit
OAN
Is this going to happen every time someone interviews Trump.... his supporters go nuts and their candidate reacts like a 12-year old on twitter...
insane.
I stopped watching Fox after the debate. They were screwing everyone instead of talking about real issues.
Cruz was ignored for 40 minutes, so lets see how long many ignore Fox.
WELL SAID.
I agree with you. Many faithful FOX viewers were disappointed.
I have a question. Which network is going to host the next episode of these (alleged) debates ?
“Megyn’s job was to probe the candidates about the issues this country if facing, not to incite with gotcha questions.”
She went full National Enquirer, but only on Trump. She was rude to Cruz, not mentioning his name at the end summary. Screw Fox News.
It was one of those moments where an edit button would have been very useful. :^/
Next GOP debate:
GOP: CNN/Salem Media Group GOP presidential candidate debate
Date: Sept. 16, 2015
Time: TBD
Location: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA
Host: CNN and Salem Media Group
Moderator: Hugh Hewitt
Qualifications: The debate “will be divided into two parts featuring two groups of candidates. One grouping will feature the top 10 candidates according to public polling, and the other will include candidates who meet the minimum threshold of 1 percent in public polling but are ranked outside the top 10,” according to CNN.
I’m rather surprised that Conservatives are just now discovering that Fox News is just another flavor of Left Wing Media. Maybe on the right side of the spectrum, but not much and certainly not my voice. I stopped watching them about 5 years ago (I stopped watched the on air network news 15 years ago). Time to wake up. They are all liberals and they all lie.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.