The fallout from the 2020 election initially dealt a blow to Fox News. President Trump, enraged by Fox’s early call of Arizona for Biden, launched a campaign to discredit the network, encouraging his supporters to switch to Newsmax and other outlets. Many loyal Fox viewers, frustrated by the network’s perceived betrayal, did just that, fueling Newsmax’s growth and ambitions.
Newsmax, seizing the opportunity, actively recruited Fox News personalities and capitalized on the conservative anger towards Fox. However, Fox News fought back. Following the 2020 election, the network shifted its programming to cater more directly to Trump’s MAGA base, pushing out more moderate voices and hiring individuals with close ties to the Trump administration. The firing of Tucker Carlson further exacerbated the situation, causing more viewers to defect to Newsmax.
Despite these setbacks, Fox News’s dominance remained largely unchallenged. Trump’s subsequent reconciliation with Fox, marked by a high-profile interview with Sean Hannity, solidified this power dynamic. Fox News’s ratings soared, outperforming all other networks, including major broadcasters, during this period. The sheer number of former Fox News employees now working in Trump’s administration further underscores the network’s deep influence.
This power imbalance is now at the heart of a lawsuit filed by Newsmax against Fox News. Accusing Fox of anti-competitive behavior, Newsmax alleges that Fox intentionally suppressed competition to maintain its dominance. The lawsuit, however, was dismissed by Judge Aileen Cannon, highlighting the legal challenges Newsmax faces in overcoming Fox’s considerable power. Fox News dismissed the claims as simply Newsmax’s attempt to compensate for its own shortcomings in the marketplace.
The irony is palpable: a conservative media outlet seeking recourse through the courts due to the perceived unfairness of free-market competition. While Newsmax’s accusations about Fox’s tactics are serious, the dismissal of the lawsuit underscores Fox News’s entrenched position within the conservative media landscape – a position seemingly impervious even to Trump’s attempts at retribution. The case leaves Newsmax to grapple with its own competitive failures, while Fox News continues its reign as the undisputed king of conservative news.
