Recent events have placed former President Donald Trump in the spotlight for his connections to far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, known for her extremist views, as well as for the refusal of former Vice President Mike Pence to endorse his 2024 presidential run. However, much of right-wing media, including outlets like Fox News, has largely sidestepped these controversies, minimizing their significance and offering limited coverage to their audience.
Trump’s association with Laura Loomer, notorious for her racist, sexist, and Islamophobic rhetoric, has caused uproar among top Republican figures. Loomer was notably seen alongside Trump at a presidential debate and a 9/11 memorial, sparking backlash within the GOP. Notably, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned Loomer’s presence. Graham and Greene distanced themselves from her controversial views, with Greene even labeling her a “liability” to the party.
However, despite the backlash, Trump defended Loomer’s role, stating that while she is a supporter, he cannot control everyone who backs him. In a statement reported by CNN, Trump minimized her influence and brushed off the criticism.
While these events generated significant discussion in mainstream media, particularly on CNN, much of the right-wing media either ignored or downplayed Trump’s relationship with Loomer. Fox News, a major player in conservative media, provided little coverage of the controversy. Their limited reporting insulated much of their audience from the larger public outcry over Loomer’s involvement in Trump’s public appearances.
At the same time, former Vice President Mike Pence made headlines by announcing in March that he would not support Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency in 2024. This decision was unprecedented, as it is rare for a former vice president to withhold an endorsement from the president they served under. Pence’s announcement is part of a growing trend of former high-ranking Trump administration officials distancing themselves from the former president, joining figures like national security advisers and defense secretaries who have openly criticized Trump.
Pence, during an interview with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, explained that he could not, “in good conscience,” endorse Trump. He cited disagreements with Trump beyond the infamous January 6 insurrection, including differing views on key issues like federal debt, abortion, and foreign policy. Despite the significance of these remarks, Fox News chose to give minimal attention to Pence’s statement. According to an analysis conducted by Media Matters, Fox only devoted four minutes of airtime to the story between Friday and Monday, following the live interview. In contrast, CNN and MSNBC each provided over an hour of detailed coverage of Pence’s refusal to back Trump.
The Media Matters analysis revealed that Fox’s brief coverage included mentions by Neil Cavuto, who discussed Pence’s decision in a short Friday afternoon segment. Fox’s flagship news program, Special Report with Bret Baier, relegated the story to a roundtable discussion, while prime-time hosts such as Laura Ingraham openly attacked Pence, criticizing him for not aligning with Trump’s campaign.
The overall handling of both stories by right-wing media, especially Fox News, reflects a continued effort to shield its pro-Trump audience from developments that could undermine support for the former president. In the case of Pence’s refusal to endorse Trump, the limited airtime provided little opportunity for viewers to engage with the news. Media Matters suggested that this approach is part of a larger pattern, where the network tends to minimize stories that could challenge Trump’s support base. This selective coverage by Fox News and other conservative media outlets signals an ongoing alignment with Trump’s campaign, even as prominent Republican figures and former allies continue to distance themselves from the former president.
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