Former President Donald Trump has reignited his public feud with longtime friend and radio host Howard Stern, criticizing the SiriusXM host for what Trump describes as a dramatic shift in political stance.
During an appearance on Fox News’s “Gutfeld!,” Trump took the opportunity to voice his displeasure with Stern’s recent embrace of more progressive ideologies, declaring that the shock jock has “gone woke” and that it has affected his ratings.
Trump reflected on his frequent appearances on Howard Stern’s popular radio show, noting how often he was a guest and recalling their positive rapport. He praised Stern for how he used to be but then expressed disappointment, saying Stern later embraced more progressive views, which, according to Trump, led to a decline in the show’s ratings.
Stern, now 70, was once known for his edgy, no-holds-barred interviews, which often courted controversy. Over the years, though, Stern’s opinions have shifted, particularly regarding Trump, whom he once referred to as a friend. Stern became increasingly critical of Trump during his presidency, a shift that Trump attributes to Stern’s progressive turn. “He sort of went anti-Trump for a couple of reasons,” Trump noted during the interview
Stern appears unfazed by Trump’s criticism, even embracing the label “woke.” He has explained that he sees being “woke” as preferable to being unaware, and if it means distancing himself from Trump or supporting issues like transgender rights or the COVID-19 vaccine, he’s fine with that.
Although SiriusXM does not release official ratings data for Stern’s show, Trump has claimed that Stern’s shift toward more progressive views has led to a decline in listenership. However, no specific numbers were provided to back up this claim.
His critiques of Trump and his supporters have become more pointed in recent years, particularly regarding political and social issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stern was openly critical of Trump’s handling of the crisis and his administration’s rhetoric. He has also expressed disdain for Trump supporters, once referring to them as “stupid” for continuing to follow the former president.
Reflecting on his past relationship with Stern, Trump highlighted how often he appeared on Stern’s show during its earlier years. He suggested that his frequent appearances significantly impacted the show’s success, recalling how they had many good shows together.
Despite their former friendship, Trump and Stern appear to have moved in opposite directions, both politically and personally.
