President Donald Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Fox News, as his administration confronts various challenges and decreasing approval ratings.
Recently, Trump criticized Howard Kurtz, host of Fox News’ “MediaBuzz,” whom he suggested should retire due to his perceived inadequate defense of his administration.
In a May 4, 2025 post on Truth Social, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Kurtz’s commentary following a segment on the removal of national security advisor Mike Waltz. “It is time for Howie Kurtz to retire!” Trump wrote. He criticized Kurtz for featuring commentators from other networks who offer negative views on his administration and providing what Trump described as a weak defense of his policies.
This criticism comes amid declining polls for Trump, as his administration faces accusations of authoritarianism and various controversies. Trump has criticized Rupert Murdoch’s media outlets for allowing criticisms of his administration.
Kurtz, who has been with Fox News since 2013 after 15 years at CNN, often critiques what he sees as liberal bias but maintains he is a media analyst, not a political advocate.
Trump’s comments on Kurtz were preceded by praise for Fox News contributor Joe Concha, who wrote “The Greatest Comeback Ever: Inside Trump’s Big Beautiful Campaign.” Trump commended Concha for understanding the significant moments leading to his electoral victory.
The timing suggests an intentional contrast, especially since Sean Hannity has supported Concha replacing Kurtz on “MediaBuzz.” Hannity once stated, “I think he’d have a great TV show here on Fox on media.”
A Fox News source told The Independent that “Hannity still wants Concha to replace Howie,” but there’s no evidence of coordination between Hannity and Trump regarding the posts.
Concha, at Fox News since 2020, has authored several pro-Trump books and is considered a potential successor to Kurtz if the latter steps down or is removed. His latest book, released in April 2025, highlights Trump’s 2024 election win and criticizes media coverage.
Trump’s criticism extended beyond Kurtz, targeting Karl Rove, a Fox News contributor, after Rove offered constructive criticism on Trump’s falling approval ratings. Trump called Rove a “total loser.”
Rove suggested Trump focus on economic issues and inflation, but Trump rejected the advice, stating, “I don’t need to have Karl Rove of Fox News to tell me what to do.”
Trump has previously targeted other figures in Murdoch’s media group, including criticizing a Fox News pollster and a Wall Street Journal reporter. The Journal, also owned by Murdoch, has been critical of Trump’s policies.
Despite tensions, Fox News remains an essential platform for Trump, with prime-time hosts like Hannity supporting him, even as some daytime programs maintain independence in coverage.
Kurtz responded on social media: “I’ve known President Trump for 35 years, and if I hated him he wouldn’t keep giving me interviews,” emphasizing his focus on balanced coverage.
In the weeks following his attack on Howard Kurtz, Trump escalated his criticism of Fox News and its contributors. In mid-June 2025, Trump lashed out at the network’s internal polling, which showed declining approval ratings for his administration, calling the poll “phony” and accusing Fox of promoting anti-Trump narratives. He declared on Truth Social that the “MAGA movement HATES Fox News” and singled out Fox contributors for what he called “disloyal coverage,” even as he continued to praise loyalists like Sean Hannity and Jesse Watters.
By late June, Trump’s ire turned toward “The Five” panelist Jessica Tarlov, whom he labeled a “disgrace to television broadcasting” after she criticized his handling of economic issues during a segment. Then in mid-July, Trump threatened legal action against Rupert Murdoch and News Corp after The Wall Street Journal—also owned by Murdoch—published a report alleging Trump had sent a birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein. Though aimed at the Journal, the threat added to growing tensions between Trump and Murdoch’s media empire, including Fox News.
These developments underscore Trump’s strategy of publicly pressuring Fox to maintain favorable coverage—or face his wrath.
