An Appalling Moment, Even by Fox News' Standards
In his first speech following his arrest on Tuesday, Donald Trump hit on a series of talking points. Hunter Biden and Burisma. Hillary Clinton's emails. Bill Clinton's sock drawer.
More Context
Was he arrested?
But for people who watched the speech on Fox News--MSNBC and CNN refused to air it--one moment stood out. The network showed a split-screen shot of Trump alongside President Joe Biden, who happened to be shaking his fist during an emphatic speech at the White House. The chyron read: WANNABE DICTATOR SPEAKS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AFTER HAVING HIS POLITICAL RIVAL ARRESTED.
A real Fox News chyron at the end of its 8 p.m. hour. pic.twitter.com/7fUT1Nj62D -- The Recount (@therecount) June 14, 2023
Trump used similar language to describe the arrest during his speech. "A corrupt sitting president had his top political opponent arrested on fake and fabricated charges," he said, before invoking the election conspiracy theory rhetoric that contributed to the January 6 attack on the Capitol. "This is called 'election interference' and yet another attempt to rig and steal a presidential election," he said. "More importantly, it's a political persecution like something straight out of a fascist or Communist nation."
So much for the notion that Fox News had turned against Trump. It's back, and slimier than ever.