
Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum, from left, Bret Baier, moderate a town hall with former US President Donald Trump in Des Moines, Iowa in January. Fox News amplified Trump's false election claims in 2020, and has been a key outlet for him as he campaigns. Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption
Fox News anchors Martha MacCallum, from left, Bret Baier, moderate a town hall with former US President Donald Trump in Des Moines, Iowa in January. Fox News amplified Trump's false election claims in 2020, and has been a key outlet for him as he campaigns.
Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesFox News has been the Republican Party's biggest cheerleader almost since it premiered in 1996.
Nearly three decades later, many Republicans perceive Fox as the de facto kingmaker for all kinds of Republican candidates — including presidential.
That kingmaker status brought Fox News power, ratings and billions in profits and has spawned a succession of imitators and competition.
But for Fox, that synergy with Trump and the Republicans has come with significant risk and significant consequences.
Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox for defamation after network anchors amplified Trump's false election claims. The company settled, at a cost of nearly $790 million.
Nevertheless, Fox News still has the power to shape Republican politics as the country heads into another presidential election cycle. But is that power diminished in 2024?
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This episode was produced by Marc Rivers. It was edited by Emily Kopp and Courtney Dorning.Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.