Fox News: The Midterm Aftermath Propagandist Tears
A condensed overview of 23 hours of Fox News for the week ending 11-13-22
A typical Fox News viewer is most likely dismayed and confused that the promised red wave of Republicans seizing control of both the House and the Senate didn’t materialize. After all they were flooded with stories of cities overrun with crime, families crushed by inflation, morgues overflowing with deaths caused by fentanyl, and millions of migrants taking over border cities.
Fans of the network were also inundated with segment after segment of Fox News anchors praising various Republican candidates while trashing Democrats. They were shown inaccurate polls that promised massive Republican victories in states where the races weren’t even close.
Fox News has no real answers for their viewers why the Republican gains were so lackluster other than to blame voting methods across the country.
As usual anyone who consumed Fox News exclusively would have missed out on stories such as the seditious conspiracy trial involving the leaders of the Oath Keepers, political unrest in Pakistan or signs that inflation might be subsiding.
Shows covered
Fox & Friends - 1st hour
The Five
Hannity
The entire broadcast (8-9 hours) of Fox News midterm election night coverage
Jesse Watters has an Emotional Breakdown about the Midterms
Jesse Watters basically had a full meltdown the day after the midterm elections on “The Five.” The following is an edit from a longer segment.
“Look at what happened, let's say, in Pennsylvania. I can't believe John Fetterman won. I can't believe it. I honestly can't believe they voted for this guy. So abortion was critical. We know in Pennsylvania, I did not see that it was going to be that critical. Oz was not a great candidate. He had a brutal primary. He took the summer off and he campaigned hard at the end but people didn't trust him. They didn't trust the guy. He wasn't from Pennsylvania.,” said Watters.
It was telling that the moment some Republican candidates didn’t win their races how quickly Fox anchors like Watters openly criticized them.
“ And so it all is going to come down to Georgia runoff again. So this is about Herschel Walker. And, you know, there was never a shot, apparently in New Hampshire. I mean, that guy got railroaded. And if you put up a guy in in who's running for governor in Pennsylvania who just got slaughtered. I mean, these things have down ballot consequences that hurts Oz or hurts the Republican House candidates.” said Watters.
Watters might not have realized it but every candidate he tore apart was elevated and championed by former President Donald J. Trump.
“ Zeldin did great considering this is a deep blue state. Kathy Hochul had help from every Democrat crooked Bill, Obama, K amala. Everybody came in to save her. There's just not the hatred for Joe Biden that there is for Barack Obama and for the Clintons,” said Watters.
Things really got odd when Watters decided there wasn’t enough hate for President Biden considering Fox News spews nothing but vitriol and venom towards the man every single day.
“There's not a hate Biden vote that's out there. You know, when you go and Trump's on the ballot, there's that hate Trump Democrat vote. People just don't feel the same passion against the guy that they also feel for other people. And we have a problem demographically single women are voting for Democrats by 30 points, 37, 37 points. And urban America, they're cleaning our clocks in the cities. Cleaning our clocks. I'm not saying anything nefarious is going on, but they are cleaning our clocks in the cities and we're giving it away. ” said Watters.
I wasn’t covering Watters last week but I saw other accounts post his extended rant about how single women needed to get married so they’d be less likely to vote for Democrats.
“And the fact that these youth voters are coming in so strong on an off year is very concerning. It looks like they're been brainwashed. This new generation is totally brainwashed because a lot of these single women vote 37 spreads for Democrats are teaching all of our younger generation in these schools and they're polluting their minds. And then they grow up and then they're in their twenties and then they vote for leftist,” said Watters.
The Five had High Hopes for the Election - They were all crushed
The night before the election hopes were so high on “The Five” Greg Gutfeld openly joked about how Trump used to threaten protesters with physical violence.
“It's like if you got I mean, what did Trump say to protestors when he came in? Knock them out now. So and we found that magical. And we did that still deal. Lauren Biden. All right,” said Gutfeld.
If Gutfeld actually did any of the things he jokes about here he’d be guilty of committing a few federal crimes.
“Why did they let him out? I don't know. I want to say I. I'm so excited. We're a day away from the end of democracy and I have been putting all of my energy into destroying this incredibly fragile system of governance. I'm just so thrilled. You know what I did today? Oh, it's fantastic. I put up fliers all over my neighborhood saying the election was canceled and I set up a voter registration booth at NYU, and I took all their information and I threw it at the East River,” said Gutfeld.
Gutfeld might think voter disenfranchisement is hilarious but everything he just joked about has actually happened to marginalized groups. Black voters especially have been targeted with fliers instructing them to vote on the wrong day or been misled by fake election workers who destroyed their voter registrations.
Fox Guest Goes Rogue
A “Fox Guest Goes Rogue” is a moment when someone invited on Fox News doesn’t play by the Fox News playbook. It doesn’t happen often but when it does it tends to be fun to watch.
In this first example Harris Faulkner was hosting a “Voters Voices” section during the election night coverage. The segment included a small audience of maybe 40 or so voters from the local NJ/NY area.
At some point off-camera two voters got into a fight about how history was taught in schools.
This clip starts right after Faulkner addresses the situation.
“Would you like to pick up here? Because you guys were going at it a little while ago,” said Faulkner.
The camera cuts to a white man sitting directly next to a Black woman who is giving him a side-eye glance. The Black woman begins the discussion.
“Yes. Well, earlier we were discussing about what should be taught. And there's a lot of hoopla about teaching critical race theory. We were talking about parental involvement in education. And my what I said is that we should teach the truth and we should not not teach history because some people may feel uncomfortable with it. And that's when Chris and I had gotten into an exchange,” said the Black woman.
Faulkner addresses the white man.
“Chris, you want a last word?” said Faulkner
“Sure. Well, you know, when you teach the truth, you teach both sides. You teach it fairly. You want to make everybody feel welcoming in the classroom. You don't want to make anybody feel excluded because that exclusion, when you try to be inclusive, you're being exclusive,” said Chris.
“And and that and I knew that somebody. We're going to wrap it up, you guys. Thank you,” said Faulkner.
Right as Faulkner tried to wrap up the segment another voice is heard. What the woman is saying is not quite audible until someone rushes over with a boom mic to pick up her comments.
Its another Black woman who seems visibly annoyed and upset.
“We have not worried about how black children and grandchildren have felt excluded and not part of that conversation. But now when we're starting to talk about teaching the truth of history, we have to worry about feeling,” said the second Black woman.
Faulkner then wraps things up.
“I do want to point out that while this conversation has been going on pretty much as a backdrop tonight on education, it is a hot one. We saw Governor Glenn Youngkin on with Martha earlier. This will be an issue that persists long beyond this midterm election. I know it's popped up in your research, too,” said Faulkner.
In this second example, Dov Hikind, described as a Democrat Zeldin voter blames Trump for the Republican party’s miserable showing in the midterm elections.
“What I want to say is that we were all disappointed looking at the bigger picture. You know, what happened was supposed to be great victories all over the country. And part of the problem. I don't think there's any question in my mind that hurt Republicans all over is Donald Trump. And I think, you know, I would say to the former president who I supported and did great things during his term, I would say to him, move on, move on,” said Hikind.
He continues. This clip is edited from a longer segment.
“And when you I mean, a couple of days before the election, he tells the country he has a major announcement. Donald Trump, it was not about you. It was about the candidates that were running and you took away from them. There's no question that he hurt candidates all over the country. And I would say to Donald Trump on November 15th, you're going to make a major announcement,” said Hikind.
“I would advise you and I have great respect for you and things that you accomplished. I would advise you to announce to the country the date that DeSantis is the one that we should support so that we can win the White House in 2024. Donald Trump, you had your opportunity. You hurt your party, that you love your country in this election,” said Hikind.
“So Donald Trump, move on. Yeah. What went wrong? And more and more people you talk to who were supporters of Donald Trump, you know, nobody wants to say it openly, but it's time to be honest. If we want to move on and have great victories in this country. Someone like DeSantis, I mean, look, he's a superstar. And, you know, we need that change. I want Donald Trump to be the hero to support the scientists. And let's move on. He hurt the party. There's no question about it. No question about it,” said Hikind.
Steve Doocy didn’t react much but then tried to spin the segment back to a positive note.
“Let's see what his big announcement is next week,” said Doocy.
Student Loan Forgiveness - The New Welfare Queens
The following video is a series of comments spliced together from segment about Biden’s student loan forgiveness program.
Judge Jeanine Pirro started the segment off.
“Kids who got a student loan bailout are about to live large off your dime. While millions grapple with the highest inflation in 40 years and other economic problems borrowed those who are about to get their debt canceled. Have some big plans for that extra cash,” said Pirro.
Pirro then cut to a clip from a NBCNow streaming program.
“Recipients of President Biden's student debt forgiveness plan could see their monthly payments drop up to $300 a month in the coming weeks. But get this, 73% say they actually plan to spend that extra cash on travel and dining out,” said the NBCNow anchor.
Judge Pirro responded.
“Travel and dining out now,” said Pirro.
Dana Perino responded.
“So basically what those reporters did was expose what we all knew to probably be true. But now they've just gone ahead and said it out loud,” said Perino.
Greg Gutfeld took things to a dark place.
“I don't know what I would do if I ran into somebody at a resort and they were telling me this is what they were doing. They would probably not be seen again. I don't know what that means. That means we'd probably run off together to the woods and I would return alone,” said Gutfeld.
Jesse Watters decided to recycle the welfare queen myth that was a popular political smear during the Reagan era.
“This is the new welfare queen. Remember back in the eighties? It was that little you know, you're driving the Cadillac after you're taking this welfare. Now, the new welfare queen is a 30 year old white chick with a grand degree who is in Cancun taking selfies saying hashtag, thank you, Joe Biden,” said Watters
Bogus Expert of the Week
This week it’s another repeat appearance by the professional daughter-in-law Lara Trump. She was a guest on “Hannity” to discuss Senator elect John Fetterman’s campaign in Pennsylvania.
Lara Trump is not from Pennsylvania. She’s never worked on a senatorial campaign. She’s not a journalist or podcaster and no one would call her a pundit.
Other than creating public relations videos for her father-in-law she has no actual experience in politics.
Lara Trump is an expert on the Trump family but that’s about it. Once the former president falls out of favor with Fox News, which could be any day now, she will no longer appear on the network.
Stories that Fox News Ignored
Every week I compare 15 hours of Fox News to five hours of PBS NewsHour. The following list are the stories that PBS covered that Fox News did not.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) worldwide COVID-19 deaths are down 90% since February.
A Russian businessman with ties to the Kremlin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, admitted last Monday that he had interfered in U.S. elections and would continue to do so.
The Ukrainian army liberated Kherson, a regional capital in the Eastern part of Ukriane that has been occupied by Russian forces since March.
North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward waters off its east coast
Veterans Day - PBS brought up the recently passed bipartisan legislation (PACT Act) that gives benefits to veterans who suffered health problems after being exposed to toxic chemicals in burn pits.
A federal judge delayed Steven Bannon’s prison sentence as he appeals his conviction. Bannon was a top advisor to former President Donald J. Trump who was convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the January 6th Committee.
The seditious conspriacy trial of five alleged leaders of the Oath Keepers had some dramatic moments last week as a witness for the defense decided to plead the fifth unexpectedly. Another witness was revealed to be an informant. The Oath Keepers was one of the extremists groups involved with the riot on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
The Chinese economy slowed more than expected.
Jailed Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah ramped up his hunger strike right as the COP27 climate summit meets in Egypt. El-Fattah escalated his 200 day hunger strike by refusing to drink water. The activist is trying to bring attention to other prisoners like himself who have been jailed for political reasons.
The attorney general for the District of Columbia is filing a civil consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Dan Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. The lawsuit is based on allegations that the four parties tried to deceive D.C. residents about the investigation into the organizations workplace culture.
A major winter storm hit California, bringing rain and snow to the drought-stricken state.
WNBA player Britney Griner was sent to penal colony in Russia after losing her appeal on drug charges. The Biden administration has tried to coordinate a prisoner swap for her release.
Consumer prices rose 0.4% in October which was lower than most analysts predicted. It’s an indication that inflation rates will continue to decline.
The head of Homeland Security asked Customs and Border Protection chief Chris Magnus to resign or face firing.
Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of the G20 Summit.
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan urged followers to march on Islamabad without him. Khan was recently shot during a protest. He was tossed from power by Pakistan’s Election Commission on corruption charges. Khan’s followers are demanding early elections in the hopes to re-elect him.
Anti-government protests in Iran continue to rage on in the streets as officials renew threats. A court sentenced the first protesters to death, human rights group fear that more protesters might also face execution.
Facebook’s parent company Meta set to lay off about 13% of its total workforce.
China’s manufacturing hub Guangzhou locks down 5 million residents as a Covid outbreak widens
A judge ordered Alex Jones to pay $473 million more to Sandy Hook families
Oral arguments began in the Supreme Court of the United States in a case challenging who gets preference in the adoption of Native American children. The case seeks to overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act which currently gives tribal nations a say in child welfare cases involving children who are members of a federally recognized tribe or eligible for membership.
The National Toy Hall of Fame announced it’s inductees for 2022 - Lite-Brite, Masters of The Universe and the ancient spinning top.
The crypto currency FTX created by Sam Bankman-Fried has collapsed. His $32 billion dollar company has plunged into bankruptcy.
By the Numbers
Fox went from being openly giddy about the prospect of the Republican Party seizing control of both houses of Congress to being utterly stunned by the Democrat’s strong showing.
The network threw most of its focus towards the slow voting count in a few Western states like Arizona and Nevada. Fox anchors praised the handful of candidates who were still in races that hadn’t been decided yet such as Herschel Walker, Kari Lake and Adam Laxalt.
Fox personalities didn’t come out and declare any particular race stolen but there were several comments that implied that some elections may not have been fair. It will be interesting to watch if Fox accepts the final results in various tight races.
On election night several pundits and journalists invited to be part of the Fox News broadcast openly criticized former President Donald J. Trump.
The next morning on “Fox & Friends” the only person to express similar views was a guest invited on to discuss Lee Zeldin’s run for New York governor.
PBS broke up their midterm coverage into a number of different topics. They had segments about specific races, voting demographics and voting methods. The network included extended interviews with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and the House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL).
It’s very telling that the term Republican was used almost 100 times more than the word Democrat. Crime was still used 107 times and the word border was mentioned 106 times. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was mentioned 30 times whereas Hunter Biden was mentioned 13 times. The network has still not addressed the anti-government protests in Iran.
Coming up…
This coming week I’ll be covering the first hour of “Fox & Friends”. “The Five” and “The Ingraham Angle”. I should also have my interview with Andy Campbell, the author of “We are the Proud Boys.”