Category: Divided Party

Trump’s Fractured Alliance: Attacks on Fox News and Murdoch Signal Shift in Republican Media Dynamics

Recently, Donald Trump launched a barrage of attacks on Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, particularly targeting Fox News. In a series of posts on Truth Social, he expressed disdain for the network, asserting that “MAGA HATES FoxNews.” Trump criticized Fox polls, claiming they consistently misrepresent his popularity, while undermining the network’s polling practices and branding their results as biased and unreliable.

Trump’s condemnation of Fox News isn’t new; he reiterated that the network, which has previously supported him, has failed to accurately portray his standing among voters. His latest tirade also included complaints about Fox’s polling company, stating that they have been “discredited,” and accusing them of being consistently negative toward him. This reflects Trump’s ongoing struggle to control the narrative around his campaign as the election draws near.

In addition to his grievances with Fox News, Trump criticized The Wall Street Journal, another Murdoch property, by claiming it misrepresents his views on foreign policy issues, particularly regarding Iran. This marks a notable shift for Trump, who had previously praised Murdoch during an Oval Office meeting, referring to him as “legendary.” This apparent disconnect highlights the complexities of Trump’s relationship with Murdoch’s outlets.

Trump’s rhetoric demonstrates his tendency to attack the very allies he once relied upon for favorable coverage. Such behavior reveals the fragility of his support within the conservative media landscape, suggesting that even networks traditionally seen as allies can fall under scrutiny when they fail to align with his narrative.

Ultimately, Trump’s criticisms of Fox News and Murdoch reflect his ongoing attempts to maintain control over his image and messaging as he navigates a challenging political landscape. The fallout from his tirades underscores a fracturing relationship that could have significant implications for the Republican party and its strategy ahead of the elections.

(h/t: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/maga-hates-foxnews-trump-lashes-out-at-murdoch-media-empire-in-truth-social-tirade/)

Trump Dismisses Carlson’s Critique on Israel-Iran Policy

Donald Trump recently responded to Tucker Carlson’s accusations of complicity in Israel’s attacks on Iran, which were presented in Carlson’s newsletter titled “This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War.” The former Fox News host, known for his MAGA alignments, criticized Trump for his administration’s foreign policy and military actions in the Middle East.

During a news conference where Trump announced a trade agreement between the U.S. and the UK, he was questioned about Carlson’s charges. Trump dismissed the accusations, stating, “I don’t know what Tucker Carlson is saying. Let him go get a television network and say it so that people listen. Thank you.” This deflection further highlights Trump’s typical approach to criticism, often undermining his detractors rather than engaging with their points.

Carlson’s critique reflects a growing divide within the Republican Party, where many factions are increasingly vocal about disagreements on foreign policy. Trump’s administration has faced scrutiny for its perceived leniency towards Israel and its aggressive stance against Iran, leading to contrasting narratives emerging among right-wing commentators.

This incident underscores a larger issue within the Republican base, as figures like Carlson continue to question Trump’s strategies while maintaining their allegiance to the broader MAGA movement. The tensions between Trump and influential media personalities illustrate the complexities facing the party as it approaches the upcoming electoral cycles.

As the discourse escalates, it becomes clear that Trump’s leadership style and foreign policy decisions remain contentious topics among conservatives. Tucker Carlson’s sharp criticisms may resonate with a segment of the Republican electorate that is growing disillusioned with Trump’s approach, compelling them to reconsider their support for his candidacy moving forward.

(h/t: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/trump-responds-tucker-carlson-israel-iran-attack-b2771167.html)

Trump Declares Himself King, Igniting Outrage in America

Donald Trump is facing substantial backlash after he referred to himself as “king” in a social media post, an act that demonstrates his arrogant disregard for democratic principles. This declaration came shortly after his administration rescinded New York City’s congestion pricing plan, a critical transport initiative that aimed to alleviate traffic congestion in Manhattan.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump proclaimed, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” This statement was shared by the White House with an image of Trump wearing a crown, further underscoring his delusions of grandeur and his authoritarian mentality. New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded fiercely, stating, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king.” She emphasized the importance of public transit and indicated that New York would pursue legal action to uphold the congestion pricing program.

Hochul’s remarks are indicative of a broader sentiment among politicians and the public who reject Trump’s monarchical comparisons. She stated, “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years. We sure as hell are not going to start now.” This fierce resistance highlights the recognition of the fundamental rights threatened by Trump’s rhetoric and actions.

New York City council member Justin Brannan echoed these sentiments, condemning Trump’s actions and criticizing his influence over the Justice Department in forgoing a corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams. Brannan insisted, “No matter what corrupt deal Donald Trump made with the Mayor, he isn’t king. Only fools concede to false power. It’s an illusion.” This assertion of local autonomy stands in stark contrast to the anti-democratic tendencies exhibited by Trump and his followers, who continuously seek to erode the rule of law for their own ends.

As voices across the political spectrum, including Democratic representatives and the vice-chair of the DNC, rallied against Trump’s self-declared royalty, it became increasingly clear that his rhetoric is not just bombastic; it poses a significant threat to democratic governance in the United States. Trump’s actions are a direct affront to democracy, revealing the lengths to which he will go to position himself as a tyrant, reminiscent of historical fascist leaders who have sought absolute power and control.

(h/t: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/19/trump-backlash-social-media-king)

Trump’s Threat to Republicans Exposes Authoritarian Control

Donald Trump has issued a direct threat to House Republicans, warning that any member who votes in favor of Speaker Mike Johnson’s continuing resolution to fund the government will face primary challenges. Trump characterized this bill as containing detrimental “Democrat bells and whistles” and claimed that passing a clean resolution would only exacerbate the financial issues that should be left for the incoming Trump administration to handle. He further admonished Republicans to negotiate fully before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, labeling any support for the bill as foolish.

In a series of social media posts, Trump expressed disdain for the continuing resolution, describing it as an “insane crime against the American people” while aligning with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Elon Musk in their opposition. Trump accused the bill of facilitating government censorship and protecting the corrupt January 6 committee, underscoring his ongoing vendetta against perceived threats to his agenda and legacy.

Moreover, Trump criticized the Democrats for allegedly setting a political trap with the debt ceiling extension, claiming it would lead to embarrassment for Republicans when the issue arises again in June. His language reflects a broader strategy of deflecting responsibility and fostering division within the Republican Party, as he seeks to consolidate his power and influence over GOP members.

This latest maneuver demonstrates Trump’s continued grip on the Republican party, as he attempts to dictate the legislative agenda even before officially taking office. It also highlights a troubling trend where party loyalty is dictated by fear of primary challenges, stifling dissent and promoting a culture of conformity that undermines democratic principles.

Trump’s tactics are indicative of a larger strategy that seeks to reshape the Republican Party in his image, prioritizing loyalty to his agenda over traditional governance and collaboration. As he wages war against any Republicans who dare to oppose him, the implications for American democracy remain dire, with a clear trajectory towards authoritarianism.

(h/t: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-threatens-republicans-with-primaries-if-they-vote-for-mike-johnsons-spending-bill-suicidal-for-any-republican-approving-it/)

Trump Opposes Government Funding Bill to Fuel Chaos and Division

Donald Trump has publicly expressed his staunch opposition to the proposed continuing resolution (CR) aimed at preventing a government shutdown through March. During an appearance on ‘Fox & Friends’, Trump declared he is ‘totally against’ the bill, indicating that the ‘fight starts now’ for him and his supporters. This statement reflects his ongoing strategy to undermine legislative processes that could lead to bipartisan solutions.

The CR, which has been met with significant backlash from conservative factions within the Republican Party, is a product of negotiations that have frustrated many hardliners. They criticize the bill for containing numerous policy riders rather than offering a straightforward extension of government funding, illustrating the dysfunction that Trump promotes among his GOP allies.

In the context of the current political landscape, Trump’s rhetoric serves to bolster his base by framing the proposed legislation as a betrayal by fellow Republicans. This tactic aims to sow discord within the party while positioning himself as a champion of conservative values, despite his own history of erratic policy decisions.

The continuing resolution includes various provisions, such as funding for healthcare and disaster relief, which are being mischaracterized by Trump and his allies as ‘Democrat giveaways’. This reflects a broader pattern of right-wing rhetoric aimed at discrediting any collaborative governance efforts.

Ultimately, Trump’s aggressive stance against the CR illustrates his commitment to fostering chaos within the government. By advocating for obstruction rather than cooperation, he continues to align himself with the interests of wealthy elites while undermining the very fabric of American democracy and the principles of the New Deal.

(h/t: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-hes-totally-against-proposed-continuing-resolution-bill-fight-starts-now)

Trump Says, ‘Fox Is Terrible!’ After Poll Shows Biden Surge

A day after Fox News’ latest national poll showed that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden had opened up a 12-point edge over Trump, one of many such surveys in recent weeks that has Biden widening his lead, the president called the Fox poll fraudulent and claimed it was created by “haters.” 

A CNN poll released last Monday showed Biden leading by a staggering 14-point margin. Shortly after, Trump took to Twitter to announce that he had hired conservative pollster McLaughlin & Associates to analyze that poll (and others), which he said is “FAKE based on the incredible enthusiasm we are receiving.” Two days later, as part of an effort to refute a recent flurry of unfavorable polling, the Trump campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter to CNN, demanding they apologize and retract the poll, which CNN refused to do. Earlier this month, he criticized a Washington Post poll, which showed him down 10 points, as a “heavily biased Democrat Poll, just like 2016.” 

“CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America!” Trump tweeted on June 8, correctly pointing out that multiple polls showed that Hillary Clinton held a seemingly insurmountable lead in the run-up to the 2016 general election, which Trump won.

[Forbes]

Trump attacks a Republican governor for following his coronavirus testing advice

Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) followed President Donald Trump’s advice and took coronavirus testing into his own hands. Trump attacked him anyway.

Trump began Monday’s White House coronavirus briefing by criticizing Hogan — chair of the National Governors Association — for turning to foreign source to buy coronavirus tests.

“The governor of Maryland didn’t really understand,” Trump said, describing a call that Vice President Mike Pence had with governors earlier in the day to encourage them to do more to increase coronavirus testing on their own. “He didn’t really understand what was going on.”

Trump was upset because Hogan and his wife — Yumi Hogan, a Korean immigrant — not only announced earlier Monday that they purchased 500,000 test kits from suppliers in South Korea, but also because Hogan indirectly criticized him during an interview with the New York Times.

“The No. 1 problem facing us is lack of testing,” Hogan told the Times. “We can’t open up our states without ramping up testing.”

“It should not have been this difficult,” he added.

CNN reported that Hogan’s wife, Yumi Hogan, “not only used her native language to help secure the tests but also helped negotiate the deal.”

“The administration made it clear over and over again they want the states to take the lead, and we have to go out and do it ourselves, and that’s exactly what we did,” Hogan said during a news conference on Monday.

Trump talks a big game about testing

Experts say the US needs to triple its testing capacity before it will be safe for businesses to reopen, but the number of tests completed daily has remained largely flat for the past month. Trump doesn’t seem to have an answer to this puzzle other than to turn the tables on governors.

For instance, on Monday Trump trolled governors by flipping through a packet of papers that he said contained information about how they can better utilize lab capacity in their states.

But during an interview on CNN that coincided with the briefing, Hogan dismissed the value of the information Trump is sharing with governors, saying, “most of the governors already knew where the lab facilities were in their states.”

Trump, however, refuses to acknowledge there’s more he could do. Later during Monday’s briefing, the president suggested that governors like Hogan who have urged him to ramp up national testing efforts are part of a political conspiracy to bring him down.

Trump’s line in recent days has been to claim without evidence that other countries are reaching out to the US for help because testing here is going so great. Hogan’s announcement suggested that talk is a bunch of nonsense — and Trump wasn’t pleased.

At another point during Monday’s briefing, CNN’s Kaitlin Collins asked White House officials why Hogan would need to turn to South Korea for testing kits if it’s true, as Trump claims, that states already have enough testing capacity to begin the process of reopening business and schools. Nobody had a good answer.

Later, Trump returned to the podium and said that Hogan should’ve just called Mike Pence.

“The governor of Maryland could’ve called Mike Pence and saved a lot of money,” Trump said. “I think he needed to get a little knowledge.”

But if it’s true that states have much more testing capacity than they’re currently utilizing, that hasn’t yet showed up in the daily testing numbers. And until it does, governors who don’t have connections in South Korea will likely find Trump’s bluster to be cold comfort.

[Vox]

Trump says exclusion of Romney from task force shows he’s still holding a grudge

President Trump on Sunday said he intentionally left Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) off his congressional task force on reopening the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus, acknowledging it shows he still holds a grudge over the senator’s impeachment vote.

The president included every Republican senator on the task force except Romney, who voted to convict Trump for abuse of power. Asked if his exclusion shows he’s still holding a grudge, Trump said, “Yeah, it does.”

“I’m not a fan of Mitt Romney,” Trump said, adding, “I don’t really want his advice.”

The White House on Thursday released the members of its “Opening Up America Again Congressional Group.” The list included nearly 70 senators, including all 52 of Romney’s GOP colleagues in the chamber.

A spokeswoman for Romney and a source familiar confirmed that the GOP senator was not asked to take part in the task force. Romney is a former governor, private sector executive and presidential candidate.

Romney was the only GOP senator to vote for one of the articles during the Senate impeachment trial earlier this year. Trump has repeatedly referenced the vote in chiding Romney, at one point swiping at the Mormon senator’s use of religion to explain his reasoning for the vote.

There has been animosity between the two dating back years. After courting his support in 2012, Romney was fiercely critical of Trump during the 2016 campaign.

The two appeared to reconcile, with Trump considering Romney for a Cabinet post and endorsing his Senate bid in 2018. But the relationship appears to have deteriorated beyond repair with the impeachment vote.

[The Hill]

Trump slams Fox News: ‘What the hell is happening’ over there?

Not even Fox News is safe from President Trump’s Twitter finger these days.

After Fox News host Chris Wallace on Sunday brought up the notion, as reported by the New York Times, that more lives could have been saved if only the president had reacted more decisively to the coronavirus outbreak, Trump blasted him and the network in this tweet:

Later, Wallace went on to ask former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer about the president’s briefings, saying that while Trump initially got “high marks,” he’s lately been “getting into fights with governors he did not think were sufficiently appreciative or reporters.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has bashed Wallace, whom the president said will never live up to his father’s legacy and should go work for one of the “fake news” networks:

Previously, Wallace shrugged off the attacks by saying he wouldn’t let them get in the way of his reporting. “Generally speaking, I think it is an indication that you’re doing your job,” he said. “I mean I’m not in this to make friends. I am in this to do the best reporting that I can do.”

After Trump’s critical tweet, “Chris Wallace” began trending on Twitter

Media

Trump Complains About Fox News on Hannity: ‘I Think They’re Trying to Be Very Politically Correct’

President Donald Trump ripped into Fox News in an interview Wednesday night with Fox News primetime host Sean Hannity — citing “difficulties” with the cable news giant.

Early on in the 45-minute phone interview, Trump went on an unprovoked riff against Fox News after Hannity asked about Joe Biden’s gaffes.

“Well, look, I don’t want to be too critical, I’ve never seen anything like it, to be honest, and I’m sure that the Democrats are saying the same thing,” Trump said. “But they would rather have him than Bernie [Sanders], and Bernie doesn’t make too many gaffes, but Bernie has his own difficulties.”

The president pivoted to blast the press.

“But the way they push, you know, the media is all on their side, when I say all, all but a little bit, including yourselves and some of the folks on Fox,” Trump told Hannity.

Trump went on to list a few personalities who support him, including radio kingpin Rush Limbaugh (whom Trump incorrectly cited as working at Fox News), Fox News host Mark Levin, and Fox Business host Lou Dobbs. But then he also referenced “little difficulties” with the network at large.

“You have some great people, you have Rush, who is doing I hear really well, much better and Mark Levin. We have a lot of support. You would be amazed, we have a lot of support. The great Lou Dobbs, so many people we have as supporters out of just our Fox News, which, you know, I have my own little difficulties with, if you want to know the truth.”

Trump ripped the network for featuring “inappropriate” people on its air who say “very, very false things.”

The commander-in-chief then doled out the highest of insults among conservatives, billing the network an outfit looking to be “politically correct.”

“They put people on I think are inappropriate and say very, very false things and people don’t challenge them. I think they’re trying to be very politically correct or ‘fair and balanced,’ right, is the term.”

Hannity responded with a chuckle and the affirmative “yeah.”

“But I think they hurt themselves if you want to know the truth,” Trump concluded.

[Mediaite]

Media

https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/donald-trump-praises-fox-hosts-he-considers-supporters-complains-some-are-too-fair-and

1 2 3 … 11