Donald Trump woke up Tuesday morning and apparently decided Fox News was the problem.
The president lashed out at his favorite cable news network for giving airtime to Democratic and independent candidates running against Republicans in two closely watched Senate races.
Trump’s first target was Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, who is currently leading Republican Mike Rogers in several polls.
In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Fox News of spending too much time covering what he called “Dumocrat Jihadists like El-Sayed.”
He also took a swipe at Fox host Martha MacCallum over an interview she conducted with El-Sayed.
“She never interviews me like that,” Trump complained.
Trump wasn’t merely angry that Fox interviewed a Democratic candidate.
He was angry that the interview wasn’t tough enough.
And apparently that was enough to set off the president before breakfast.
Trump then turned his attention to something else that clearly bothers him: Fox News’ coverage of his rallies.
He complained that the network doesn’t give enough attention to his “record breaking Rallies” the morning after they happen.
“Fox is promoting the Dumocrats, not the Republicans and MAGA,” Trump wrote. “They have totally lost their way!”
About 15 minutes later, Trump was back at it.
This time, he was furious that Fox had aired a segment about Dan Osborn, the independent candidate challenging Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts in Nebraska.
“Why are they doing this???” Trump demanded.
“The ‘other side’ doesn’t give our people any positive exposure or airtime,” he added.
Trump then reminded everyone that he believes his own political success is proof that the media should be giving Republicans more airtime.
“It is a miracle that I won, the last by a landslide, three Presidential Races,” he wrote.
Yup. He actually wrote that.
Trump is attacking Fox News — a network he has repeatedly praised and relied on — because it is giving airtime to candidates he doesn’t want voters hearing from.
The midterm elections are now less than a month away, and Republicans are defending a Senate majority while Democrats are trying to take control of the chamber.
Michigan is one of the races that could help determine that outcome.
A new Mitchell Research & Communications poll of likely voters conducted October 1 found El-Sayed leading Rogers 46% to 41%. Other recent polling has also shown a competitive race, with the RealClearPolitics average putting El-Sayed ahead by 3.6 points.
That helps explain why Trump is paying attention.
And Nebraska is suddenly getting plenty of attention, too.
Osborn, an independent, is challenging Ricketts in a state that has long been reliably Republican. Recent polling has shown the race competitive, including a September SurveyUSA poll that had Osborn ahead 46% to 42%, although other recent surveys have shown Ricketts ahead.
Trump was in Nebraska Monday campaigning alongside Ricketts, making the race one of the contests Republicans are taking seriously as they head toward November 3.
So Trump’s Fox News tantrum wasn’t really about television coverage. It was about the midterms.
Trump wants Republicans on television. He wants Republican rallies covered. He wants Republican candidates promoted.
And when Fox News gives airtime to the other side, he’s demanding to know why.
