Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters
At least 17 Fox News personalities have helped enrich Donald Trump by speaking at events at his properties since he announced his presidential run in 2015. They have headlined pro-Trump gatherings; have held book parties; and have keynoted industry events. Additionally, numerous Fox News figures have visited Trump properties for social occasions, including golf and dinner outings with the president.
During his presidency, Trump has frequently merged his presidential and business interests, creating unprecedented conflicts of interest and constitutional issues. As The New York Times recently reported, “Since Mr. Trump became president, there have been thousands of visits to his properties, not only by Mr. Trump himself, but by foreign leaders, lobbyists, Republican candidates, members of Congress, cabinet members and others with ties to the president. At least 90 members of Congress, 250 Trump administration officials and more than 110 foreign officials have been spotted at Trump properties since 2017, according to social media posts and counts by various watchdog groups.”
Fox News figures have also helped enrich Trump by speaking at events at his properties since he announced his presidential run in 2015. Those personalities are: Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Greg Gutfeld, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, and Jeanine Pirro; Fox Nation hosts Diamond and Silk; Fox News digital politics editor Chris Stirewalt; Fox News legal analyst and commentator and Fox Nation host Gregg Jarrett; and Fox News contributors Deneen Borelli, David Bossie, Sara Carter, Nigel Farage, Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, and Alveda King. Additionally, Fox News contributors Jason Chaffetz and Sarah Huckabee Sanders are scheduled to speak at events at a Trump property in October.
Additionally, numerous Fox News figures have helped enrich Trump through social visits to his properties, such as attending dinners, golf outings, and galas. For example, Fox News anchor Bret Baier dined at Mar-a-Lago and golfed with Trump, while Fox News politics reporter Brooke Singman tweeted that she enjoyed a visit to Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia.
In researching Fox’s enrichment of Trump, Media Matters relied heavily on the work of reporter Zach Everson, whose 1100 Pennsylvania newsletter covers Trump’s businesses.
Participation in business or politics-related events
The following Fox News figures have spoken at business or conservative events held at Trump properties.
Jeanine Pirro (Fox News host)
Pirro has participated in numerous events at Trump properties, including:
- a January 18, 2018, event for Trumpettes USA at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida;
- a July 24, 2018, book signing event for her book Liars, Leakers, and Liberals at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel;
- an August 14, 2018, event for Virginia Women For Trump at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel;
- an October 5, 2018, event for Women for Trump at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel;
- a February 23 event for Trumpettes USA at Mar-a-Lago; and
- a July 23 Turning Point USA event at Trump’s Washington, D.C,. hotel.
She’s also scheduled to speak at an October 20 Jexit event at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Tucker Carlson (Fox News host)
Carlson was the keynote speaker for a September 2016 event for the National Confectioners Association at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel. The association “is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these special treats.”
Greg Gutfeld (Fox News host)
Gutfeld received an award from The American Spectator at a September 26, 2017, event at the Trump hotel in Washington, D.C. He also headlined a February 2018 fundraiser for the Morris County Republican Committee at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Gutfeld reportedly received $30,000 for the fundraiser, which lost money.
Sean Hannity (Fox News host)
Hannity accepted an award and gave the keynote speech at an event for United in Purpose, “a non-profit organization whose mission is to unite and equip conservatives in the promotion of Judeo-Christian principles.” The event was held at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel on December 6, 2017.
Mark Levin (Fox News host)
Levin has done several events at Trump properties, including:
- a July 14, 2018, campaign event for Florida Republican Ron DeSantis’ gubernatorial campaign at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida;
- a September 20, 2018, Hillsdale College event at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel; and
- a May 2 event for the Young America’s Foundation at Trump’s Washington, D.C,. hotel.
He’s also scheduled to speak at a December 18 event for Turning Point USA at Mar-a-Lago.
Diamond and Silk (Fox Nation hosts)
Diamond And Silk in DC….
Posted by Diamond And Silk on Thursday, December 27, 2018
Diamond and Silk held two events for their “‘Flip It Red, Keep It Red’ Chit Chat Tour” at Trump properties: on February 23 at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel and on June 22 at Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida.
The two are also scheduled to appear at a Trumpettes USA event on February 1, 2020, at Mar-a-Lago.
Chris Stirewalt (Fox News digital politics editor)
Stirewalt was a keynote speaker at a March 5, 2018, event for the Independent Petroleum Association of America at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Gregg Jarrett (Fox News legal analyst and commentator and Fox Nation host)
Jarrett, along with Women Vote Smart, held an October 4, 2018, reception and book signing for his book The Russia Hoax. The event was held at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Laura Ingraham (Fox News contributor at time of event; she became a Fox News host in October 2017)
Ingraham keynoted a March 20, 2016, fundraiser for the Republican Party of Palm Beach County at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump also spoke at the event.
Deneen Borelli (Fox News contributor)
Borelli spoke at a Women for Trump event in a panel session titled “Why President Trump’s America First Agenda is an Agenda for All Women” at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel on October 5, 2018.
David Bossie (Fox News contributor)
.@newtgingrich fetes @CLewandowski_ & @David_Bossie at book party in their honor at Trump International Hotel pic.twitter.com/oqxIjRT8Hy
— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) December 8, 2017
Bossie attended a party for his 2017 book (which he co-authored with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski) Let Trump Be Trump at Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on December 7, 2017. He also attended a party for his book (which he also co-authored with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski) Trump’s Enemies on November 29, 2018.
Sara Carter (Fox News contributor)
Carter spoke at a June 19, 2018, event for America First Action, which bills itself as “the only Official Pro-Trump Super PAC,” at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
She was also a “special guest” at an October 4, 2018, reception and book signing for Gregg Jarrett. Women for Trump hosted the event, which was at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Nigel Farage (Fox News contributor)
Farage spoke at a July 23 gala for Turning Point USA at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Newt Gingrich (Fox News contributor)
Gingrich headlined an April 27, 2017, event for the National Funeral Directors Association at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel. He also spoke at a December 7, 2017, book event for David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski’s Let Trump Be Trump at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Mike Huckabee (Fox News contributor)
Huckabee appeared at a September 12 event for Concerned Women for America event at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Alveda King (Fox News contributor)
King spoke at an October 5, 2018, Women for Trump event, which was held at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel. She is scheduled to appear at an October 12 event for the American Priority Festival and Conference 2019 at Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida.
Jason Chaffetz (Fox News contributor)
Chaffetz, a former Republican congressman, is scheduled to do an October 12 book signing at Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida. The signing is part of the American Priority Festival and Conference 2019.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Fox News contributor)
Huckabee Sanders, the former White House press secretary, is scheduled to appear at an October 12 event for the American Priority Festival and Conference 2019.
Social engagements and Trump property endorsements
The following Fox News personalities have participated in social events at Trump properties or helped promote Trump properties on social media.
Todd Starnes (Fox News Radio host, Fox Nation host)
Every now and then you have to splurge, right? Well, I’m taking a few extra days in DC to relax at Trump International…
Posted by Todd Starnes on Friday, August 3, 2018
Starnes tweeted his endorsement of Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel in 2018 and 2019, writing: “It is absolutely stunning – just breathtaking! I’m even more impressed because there are so many patriots staying here – and lots of our radio listeners are here, too! President Trump is making hotels great again, too!” and that the hotel was “home away from home.”
Bret Baier (Fox News anchor)
Baier dined at Mar-a-Lago in November 2017 and took a picture with Trump at the resort (Baier reportedly did not dine with Trump). He has also repeatedly golfed with Trump, including in April 2018 at Trump National in Sterling, Virginia.
Shannon Bream (Fox News anchor)
Bream tweeted birthday wishes for her husband featuring a picture of the two of them at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel in October 2018.
Lou Dobbs (Fox Business host)
Dobbs attended Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago on December 31, 2017, and received a shoutout from the president.
Sean Hannity (Fox News host)
Hannity reportedly dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on March 30, 2018. He also reportedly golfed with Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 31, 2018.
Pete Hegseth (Fox News host) and Jennifer Rauchet (Fox Nation producer)
Hegseth and Rauchet were married at Trump National Golf Club Colts Neck in New Jersey in August.
Laura Ingraham (Fox News host)
Ingraham reportedly appeared at a July 24, 2018, event for Pirro’s book Liars, Leakers, and Liberals at Trump’s Washington D.C. hotel. She also attended a book party for David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski’s book Trump’s Enemies on November 29, 2018.
Jesse Watters (Fox News host)
Watters attended a December 20, 2018, Turning Point USA gala honoring Rush Limbaugh at Trump’s Washington D.C. hotel.
Brooke Singman (Fox News reporter)
Enjoying the day at @realDonaldTrump @EricTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr@trumpwinery 🍷 pic.twitter.com/0Haf6PRR0A
— Brooke Singman (@brookefoxnews) May 19, 2018
Singman tweeted a picture of herself “enjoying the day” at Trump Winery in Charlottesville, VA, on May 19, 2018.
Guy Benson (Fox News Radio host, Fox News contributor)
Benson attended a September 27, 2017, event for the Log Cabin Republicans at Trump’s Washington, D.C., hotel.
Walid Phares (Fox News national security and foreign policy analyst)
Phares filmed an October 2018 “message of congratulations to President-Elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro and the Brazilian people for the victory” from the Trump hotel in Washington, D.C. He also had dinner at the hotel in November 2018, with right-wing figures including Trump 2020 senior adviser Katrina Pierson.
Trey Gowdy (Fox News contributor)
Gowdy golfed with Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in March 2019. He also attended a March GOP fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago; Trump spoke at the event.
Geraldo Rivera (Fox News correspondent)
Rivera reportedly dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in February 2018.
Raymond Arroyo (Fox News contributor)
Arroyo attended a book party for David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski’s book Trump’s Enemies on November 29, 2018.
Nigel Farage (Fox News contributor)
Farage dined with Trump at his Washington, D.C., hotel in February 2017.
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