Donald Trump criticized Fox News on Monday, October 19, 2026, via a post on Truth Social, stating that the network focuses too much on the viewpoints of his political opponents. He encouraged his supporters to watch his scheduled rally in Kansas on Right Side Broadcasting News (RSBN), a network founded by Joe Seales that is available on the Rumble and YouTube platforms.
The criticism follows a period of varied interactions between Trump and the Rupert Murdoch-owned network. While Trump has praised Fox News for positive coverage of his administration, he has also issued public rebukes when the network features his political rivals or presents critical viewpoints. Recently, Trump also expressed disapproval of the network's personnel decisions, specifically mentioning the departure of Maria Bartiromo.
In his Monday post, Trump described Fox News as attempting to be "politically correct" and claimed the network spends more time "defending Dumocrats" than at any other point in its history. He previously criticized the network earlier in October for not broadcasting his rally in Ohio, asserting that his supporters would stop watching Fox News if it did not provide more coverage of his events.
Last month, Trump also voiced opposition to Fox News interviewing Democratic figures, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He stated that the presence of these guests and certain commentators on the network was not well-received by his supporters. Additionally, Fox News recently joined other news organizations, including CNN and Politico, in opposing Trump’s decision to ban certain outlets from the White House.
The scale of this shift involves the national audience for cable news and digital streaming platforms, though the specific number of viewers who might move from Fox News to RSBN was not reported. For an individual household, this change would be noticed in where they choose to seek political news and whether they transition from traditional cable to digital-only platforms like Rumble or YouTube. A shift in viewership could lead to changes in advertising revenue for these networks and influence the visibility of different political candidates.
The broader impact involves the relationship between political figures and the media outlets that cover them. By directing his audience toward a specific alternative broadcaster, Trump is attempting to bypass established media organizations. This sets a precedent for how political leaders may use social media to manage their own media distribution. The next steps include the broadcast of the Kansas rally on Monday, October 19, and the ongoing monitoring of viewership trends as the midterm election approaches. Fox News has not issued a formal response to the Monday statements.