Former President Donald Trump again turned his attention to the media, this time aiming at Fox News’ senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich. In a scathing Truth Social rant on Wednesday, Trump attacked Heinrich’s reporting, even going so far as to imply she would be more at home at CNN, the same network he has long called an enemy.
A Split in the Conservative Media Bulwark?
Trump’s dynamic with Fox News has never been a simple one. Although the network has traditionally been among his most powerful media defenders, there has been simmering tension over the past few years, especially as some of its journalists and pundits have been increasingly neutral or even critical of the former president. Heinrich, a respected journalist and board member of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), found herself at the center of the latest Trump media feud after questioning the optics of his Tesla showcase at the White House.
On a Fox News Sunday program, Heinrich interrogated Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno on whether or not it was proper for Trump to utilize the White House as a backdrop to unveil a Tesla Model S, particularly in the wake of increased scrutiny of his tariff policies’ impact on American consumers. She also questioned National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on whether Trump was being “played” by Russian President Vladimir Putin, questioning the administration’s policy towards U.S.-Russia relations.
Trump’s Blistering Rebuttal
Never shy to speak his mind, Trump attacked in his characteristic hyperbolic fashion. “I watched Jacqui Heinrich of Fox the weekend and she was just horrible. She should be at CNN, not Fox,” he posted on Truth Social. He also suggested that her presence with the WHCA—an independent body of journalists who decide press coverage of the president—was a reflection of media bias.
The assault on Heinrich is no surprise considering Trump’s long history of hostility toward the media. He has established his brand on fighting what he refers to as the “fake news media”, frequently targeting networks such as CNN and MSNBC while welcoming outlets that share his perspectives.
Fox News Responds—Sort Of
Although Fox News has not put out an official release on the issue, the network’s top political analyst, Brit Hume, jumped to Heinrich’s defense at lightning speed. “I watched her too. She plays it straight, covering both sides of a story and has certainly played fair with you. You may have a case against some White House reporters, but not @JacquiHeinrich,” Hume posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The trade-off comes as Trump continues to pressure conservative media outlets that traditionally have been friendly towards him to show him total loyalty. Some journalists and analysts at Fox News are meanwhile striving to stay credible by upholding journalistic standards, even when that places them in conflict with the former president.
What’s Next?
Trump’s newest war with the press is only the latest expression of how he continues to influence the political and media environment. As 2024 election season is heating up, his power over conservative media—particularly Fox News—will be put to the test.
For the moment, the war between loyalty and reporting independence continues unabated, and Jacqui Heinrich’s readiness to take on Trump’s account could be the harbinger of a wider transformation in political reporting, even in historically pro-Trump media circles.
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