@JasonSCampbell
MAGA influencers

MAGA Media React To Russian Influence Indictments With Conspiracy Babble

Right-wing media figures are responding to news that several prominent MAGA influencers were unwittingly working on behalf of Russia by spouting absurd conspiracy theories and attacking law enforcement officials who uncovered the apparent scheme.

The Department of Justice announced Wednesday a multidepartment effort to target Russian-backed attempts to interfere with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, including criminal charges against two Russian nationals, sanctions against 10 other individuals and entities, and the seizure of 32 internet domains.

A released indictment details how two RT employees allegedly financed a U.S.-based media company, which reports have subsequently identified as Tenet Media, a right-wing media operation that has employed prominent MAGA influencers including Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern. MAGA personality Lauren Chen and her husband have been identified as the founders of the company. Only the two RT employees were charged in the indictment.

As CNN reported:

At Russian President Vladimir Putin’s direction, three Russian companies used fake profiles to promote false narratives on social media, US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Internal documents produced by one of those Russian companies show one of the goals of the propaganda effort was to boost the candidacy of Donald Trump or whoever emerged as the Republican nominee for president, according to an FBI affidavit.

Separately, two employees of RT, the Russian state media network, were indicted in a US court for allegedly being part of a scheme that funneled nearly $10 million to set up and direct a Tennessee-based front company to produce online content aimed at sowing divisions among Americans, according to the Justice Department. The scheme targeted millions of American news consumers with what Attorney General Merrick Garland described as “hidden Russian government messaging.”

WIRED also reported:

A Tennessee-based media network that produces shows for high-profile right-wing influencers such as Benny Johnson and Tim Pool was largely funded by Russian state-backed news network RT, according to a federal indictment against two RT employees that the US Department of Justice unsealed on Wednesday. The DOJ claims the US company—which WIRED, along with other news outlets, was able to identify as Tenet Media but goes unnamed in the indictment—posted hundreds of videos on social media that pushed Kremlin-approved talking points.

With the tagline “Fearless voices live here,” Tenet Media’s network includes online creators known for their right-wing politics, including Johnson, Pool, Dave Rubin, and Lauren Southern. In addition to the followings of the network’s individual creators, which collectively number in the millions, Tenet Media itself boasts more than 315,000 followers on YouTube and thousands more across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

Johnson, Pool, Rubin, and Southern did not immediately respond to requests for comment; none are accused of wrongdoing.

Fox News, Newsmax, and other MAGA media personalities reacted to the news of Russian attempts to influence the 2024 election by attacking law enforcement agencies, dismissing the gravity of the interference attempts, and claiming that the effort was an attempt by the Justice Department to steal or influence the election in Vice President Kamala Harris’ favor.

Fox News

Special Report

Fox News' Mollie Hemingway attacked American law enforcement: “Our Department of Justice and FBI are the least credible people to talk about this." [Fox News, Special Report with Bret Baier, 9/4/24]

The Ingraham Angle

Laura Ingraham claimed that the DOJ may be “laying the ground for more censorship” while guest Vivek Ramaswamy claimed that the real threat is from the “administrative state.” Ingraham agreed that the threat is from the “enemy within.” [Fox News, The Ingraham Angle, 9/4/24]

Jesse Watters Primetime

Jesse Watters mocked concerns of Russian interference: “This show tonight has all the earmarks of Russian propaganda.” [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Jesse Watters reacted to the Russian election interference indictment by calling it “dirty tricks” from the Department of Justice. [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Watters: “So people here took money, they didn't know where the money was coming from, and it didn't change the way they talked on the internet.” [Fox News, Jesse Watters Primetime, 9/4/24]

Newsmax

Rob Schmitt Tonight

Newsmax's Rob Schmitt said that Attorney General Merrick Garland is “resurrecting” the Russian interference narrative. [Newsmax, Rob Schmitt Tonight, 9/4/24]

Newsmax guest says the Department of Justice is trying to create a Russian “boogeyman” where there isn't one. [Newsmax, Rob Schmitt Tonight, 9/4/24]

Prime News

Newsmax host Michael Grimm: “The left is blaming Russia for their unpopular policies.” [Newsmax, Prime News, 9/4/24]

Greg Kelly Reports

Newsmax's Greg Kelly: “Russian disinformation is basically code for stories Democrats don't like.” [Newsmax, Greg Kelly Reports, 9/4/24]

Chris Plante: The Right Squad

Newsmax host Chris Plante claimed that Russia prefers Democrats in power: “This is what Democrats do when they're losing. They panic. ... Their playbook has one thing when all else fails: Blame Russia. The only problem is, you know, Russia prefers Democrats, as you might expect, to be in charge in the United States of America. Not Trump. They don't want President Trump in charge. In fact, Vlad the Impaler Putin admitted that earlier this year.” [Newsmax, Chris Plante: The Right Squad, 9/4/24]

MAGA personalities

Charlie Kirk

Timcast co-host Ian Crossland suggested that the situation may be a “psyop within a psyop.” [YouTube, Timcast, 9/4/24]

TimCast

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk posted in response to the DOJ election threats task force: “The regime is ramping up its fear campaign ahead of November” and in a separate post, “It's 2016 all over again.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24, 9/4/24]

Jack Posobiec

MAGA personality Jack Posobiec wrote, “Crazy how all the Russia collusion stuff reappears the day after Trump says he is going to declass the Epstein client list… Really makes you think.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

Dan Bongino

Right-wing radio host Dan Bongino wrote, “Trust absolutely NOTHING emanating from the DOJ or FBI that even remotely whiffs of politics.” He added, “Especially before an election, where they have a deep and troubled history of election interference in defense of their democrat allies.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

Rogan O'Handley

MAGA commentator Rogan O'Handley, also known as DC Draino, wrote a long post claiming the Justice Department is weaponized against MAGA, writing, “Today’s DOJ indictment mentioning prominent MAGA Youtubers is just a preview of what the weaponized Kamala regime will do to every prominent voice in the Patriot movement.” He added, “The regime knows it’s being rejected by the American people and is desperately lashing out" and “No more distractions, no more purity tests for Trump, no more BS - we ALL have to fight like hell to get him elected or most of us are going to end up targeted by the Deep State.” [Twitter/X, 9/4/24]

RedState

Right-wing news site RedState published an article titled “Kamala’s Campaign Is Flailing So Badly the DOJ Just Tried to Toss Her a ‘Russia Collusion’ Lifeline” in which they call the indictment another “fake Russia meddling hoax.” [RedState, 9/5/24]

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters.

Candace Owens

Far-Right 'Daily Wire' Finally Dumps Raving Antisemite Candace Owens

On March 22, The Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing announced, “Daily Wire and Candace Owens have ended their relationship.” The announcement follows Candace Owens’ escalating antisemitic rhetoric. Just days ago, Holocaust-denying antisemite Nick Fuentes said Owens “has been in a full-fledged war against the Jews.”

Last November, Owens and Daily Wire co-founder, Ben Shapiro, engaged in a very public fight over Israel’s war against Hamas. Despite growing tensions, Owens claimed just before being let go by her employer that Shapiro “doesn’t have the power to fire” her.

It’s not surprising that Owens would eventually become embroiled in a scandal over her antisemitism. In 2019, she said, “If Hitler just wanted to make Germany great and have things run well, OK, fine.” The Daily Wire still decided to hire her the following year, and since then, she has consistently pushed conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric at the increasingly extreme platform.

  • Antisemitism
    • Owens “liked” a post on X (formerly Twitter) that asked a rabbi she has been feuding with whether he is “drunk on Christian blood again.” [Mediaite, 3/18/24]
    • Owens warned that “Jews are going to be blamed” if TikTok is banned. [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 3/14/24]
    • Owens suggested that there is a Jewish “gang” in Hollywood committing “horrific things” on people. [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 3/8/24]
    • Owens lambasted “D.C. Jew[s]” and told Jewish people there is a “rot” in their community. [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 2/14/24]
    • Owen defended Ye (formerly Kanye West) against accusations of antisemitism. Rapper Ye posted on Twitter in 2022, “I’m going death con 3 ON JEWISH PEOPLE.” Owens later took to her show to defend the rapper, saying, “If you are an honest person, you did not think this tweet was antisemitic.” [Mediaite, 10/10/22; The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 10/10/22]
  • Conspiracy theories
    • Owens pushed speculation that the first lady of France, Brigitte Macron, is a transgender woman. [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 3/11/24]
    • Owens claimed that Hollywood “was created by the CIA.” [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 2/1/24]
    • Owens said she likes conspiracy theories “because I view them as mind yoga.” [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 2/14/23]
    • Owens suggested that Bill Gates is using mosquitoes to make people allergic to beef. [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 9/22/22]
    • On Fox News, Owens said that the January 6 insurrection was “the Reichstag fire happening all over again in America.” [Fox News, Tucker Carlson Tonight, 4/6/21]
    • On Fox News, Owens compared vaccine outreach programs to “a child predator” and “Hitler youth programs.” [Fox News, Primetime, 11/5/21]
    • Owens said she would rather die of COVID than take the COVID vaccine. Responding to rumors that she was vaccinated, Owens said: “I am not getting this vaccine. Ever! Never going to get it. I don’t care if I’m on my deathbed and they say it can save you, I’m not going to get it. I’m principally now opposed to it, and I do not understand why anyone who is healthy, able-bodied and young would ever get this vaccine if you’re not at risk of COVID.” [Mediaite, 1/5/22]
    • Owens baselessly suggested actor Bob Saget may have died from the COVID-19 vaccine. [The Daily Wire, Candace, 1/11/22]
  • Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric
    • Owens called surrogacy a denial of women’s rights and “an industry for the LGBTQ community.” [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 1/10/24]
    • Owens said the existence of trans people is “worse than Jim Crow laws.” [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 4/6/23]
    • Owens declared, “The trans agenda is demonic.” [The Daily Wire, Candace Owens, 2/7/23]
    • Owens called for the state to take away children from parents of trans kids and parents who take their child to drag queen story hour. [The Daily Wire, Candace, 6/15/22]
    • Owens said, “There are freaks, predators, and pedophiles that are all hiding under the LGBT flag.” [The Daily Wire, Candace, 4/26/22]
    • Owens slandered LGBTQ teachers saying, “Pedophilia is around the corner.” [The Daily Wire, Candace, 4/5/22]

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters.

Steven Crowder

As He Turns Further Right, Steven Crowder's Empire Of Hate Is Collapsing

Hatemongering bully Steven Crowder has had a very bad year. After a brutal fight with conservative outlet The Daily Wire and a series of reports about his abusive behavior toward his family and staff, Crowder’s Rumble and YouTube views have plummeted. Crowder’s YouTube video addressing his split from Daily Wire from January received over 2 million views. His most recent video on the platform, however, barely broke 100,000 views (and his preceding video has only 59,000 views). Likewise with his Rumble account, Crowder’s videos once received over two million views. He hasn’t broken a million views on Rumble since May.

Along with a dwindling audience, Crowder has also lost support from other right-wing media personalities. Conservative columnist Bethany Mandel called Crowder a “narcissistic jerk.” Conservative cartoonist Scott Adams said Crowder’s attack on The Daily Wire was “bad form,” and claimed the platform’s offer was a “reasonable starting point.” And conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg called Crowder an “untalented buffoon.”

Crowder’s once strong media presence appears to be collapsing. How did this happen?

In January, Crowder began a public war with The Daily Wire. It all started when Crowder accused an unnamed conservative platform of being in league with Big Tech against conservative content creators. The next day, Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing posted a video confirming that the unnamed platform was, in fact, The Daily Wire. He spent 30 minutes explaining the terms of the “dream” contract that Daily Wire offered Crowder, which included four weeks of paid vacation, full editorial control over content, a staff, and the right to retain ownership of any previously created content, as well as $50 million. Crowder not only publicly rejected the deal, but he played a secretly recorded tape of him and Boreing discussing the possible contact. This was too much for The Daily Wire.

Ben Shapiro called Crowder “nasty” on his podcast. He went on to express his condemnation of Crowder, along with a full timeline of the events which precipitated the escalating war between the Daily Wire and the YouTuber. Daily Wire host Candace Owens went on the attack as well, accusing Crowder of a “bitch move” and calling him a “socialist.” She went on to make vague threats of revealing personal and damaging information about Crowder if he did not cease his assault on her employer.

It turns out that damaging personal information, though, was about to be exposed anyway. In April, Yashar Ali published Ring camera video of Crowder’s property, which showed the YouTuber verbally abusing his wife, Hilary. In the videos, Crowder told his pregnant wife, “I will fuck you up” and ordered her to perform “wifely duties.” Crowder and his wife have been in a contentious divorce since December 2021.

As conservative radio host Erick Erickson noted, there was scant defense of Crowder after this video was released.

The damage only continued. In May, The New York Postrevealed that Crowder has a long history of abusing his staff. This included screaming — including at his father, Darrin, who acts as his booker — as well as exposing his genitals to his employees. Mediaite followed up, reporting in July that Crowder created a workplace that was “rife with bullying, alarming and unpredictable behavior, as well as lewd sexual workplace misconduct.” In addition to the sexual harassment, the reporting also stated that Crowder would offer and ask employees for drugs, including Klonopin and opiates.

On his show, Crowder responded to the allegations that he sent pictures of his genitalia to male employees — “groomer-ish” behavior, according to an ex-staffer — by doing a skit in which he showed his genitalia to a staffer.

Crowder has long been a bully on air. After Columbus police shot and killed Ma’Khia Bryant in 2022, for example, Crowder mocked her weight. He once claimed a “disproportionate number” of trans people are rapists and pedophiles and said, “I would like to send out gangs of retarded people to lynch pedophiles.” He’s a racist who used the N-word on his YouTube show. He also frequently attacks LGBTQ people and women. What the reporting about Crowder demonstrates is that he is a bully both on camera and off.

Crowder has received an almost constant stream of YouTube suspensions. Most recently, he was suspended after allowing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to host his show. He and Jones have been getting closer in their professional relationship, an indication that as Crowder declines in popularity, he’s turning to more extreme outlets.

In March, Crowder signed a deal with Rumble to allow the extreme right-wing platform to exclusively manage his content. Viewership of his shows on Rumble this year, though, clearly show his audience is rapidly dwindling.

Through lack of character and professional foolishness, Steven Crowder’s star is fading. He created a show that was as ugly as he is, and now people are finally tuning out.

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters.

Rogan Dragged By Right-Wing Media For Racial Slur Apology

Rogan Dragged By Right-Wing Media For Racial Slur Apology

On February 5, podcast host Joe Rogan issued an apology for his past use of a racial slur. The apology came after a compilation video circulated featuring Rogan’s repeated use of the n-word. Rogan, who has a $100 million contract with Spotify, was already under intense criticism for using the platform to spread misinformation regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.

Support for Rogan tends to run high in conservative media. The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro tweeted that Rogan was “laughing” at those who called for outreach to be mitigated. YouTuber Steven Crowder called Rogan a “great guy” and defended his misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. And Fox News host Tucker Carlson praised Rogan for being “strong” under pressure.

After Rogan apologized for repeatedly using a racial slur, however, some in the conservative media turned on him. The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh said Rogan should’ve “laughed” at his critics, adding, “Spit in their face. It’s the only way.” Commentator John Cardillo, who spreads misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, said Rogan “never should have given a millimeter” and he should “be more savage than they are.” And The Post Millennial columnist Blaire White said “The only thing Joe Rogan did wrong was apologize.”

Crowder, who has repeatedly been suspended from YouTube for misinformation and hate speech, said he was “angry” and “upset” with Rogan for issuing an apology, saying, “He caved a little bit.” Crowder went on to call it “ill-advised” and something he “strongly disagreed” with.

STEVEN CROWDER (HOST): I'm not going to lie, I was upset. I was angry -- no -- with Joe as well. And I'll explain why. I was more angry with the people who tried to -- I hate the term cancel culture -- but the people who tried to destroy his life and his livelihood. Now, Joe Rogan is bigger than them so good for him. It shouldn't affect him. I hope he understands the power that he has. Unfortunately, he's caved a little bit, and I just -- it makes it harder for everybody else.

...

Now, Joe Rogan issued an apology, with which I strongly disagree. And I'll explain to you why. I think it was very thoughtful, though, and I think the way he delivered the apology was as well delivered as an ill-advised apology like this could be delivered.

Misinformation kingpin and former Trump administration adviser Steven Bannon told Rogan to “man up” and not to “grovel” or “kowtow” to “these people.”


STEVE BANNON (HOST): Note to Joe Rogan: the more you grovel, the more episodes they'll take down. The more you grovel, the more you kowtow, the more you appease these people -- you must fight these people. You must fight the power. So man up, right? Show some resolve.

Glenn Beck, who has spread misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, told Rogan to “never apologize” to “these people.”

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters

Capitol Rioter Who Assaulted Police Traveled On Turning Point USA Bus

Capitol Rioter Who Assaulted Police Traveled On Turning Point USA Bus

Reprinted with permission from Media Matters

A retired firefighter who threw a fire extinguisher at police officers during the January 6 Capitol insurrection was put under pretrial house arrest on Tuesday. Robert Sanford had surrendered himself to federal authorities on multiple charges nearly a week after the insurrection. HuffPo's Ryan J. Reilly reported that according to Sanford's attorney, the defendant traveled to Washington, D.C., on a bus organized by Turning Point Action, founded by Trump loyalist Charlie Kirk.



Following the insurrection, Kirk deleted a January 4 tweet saying his organization was sending 80 buses of Trump supporters to the "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6. A Turning Point Action spokesperson claimed that the organization had sent only seven buses to the capital and that the student protesters were not involved in the day's violence.

During his January 4 podcast, Kirk stated, "Turning Point Action is being financially supportive of that rally. We are sending buses."


Charlie Kirk:

He also said during that episode: "We are at Turning Point Action helping with the big event in Washington."


00:0

In the weeks leading up to the insurrection, Kirk spread misinformation and dangerous rhetoric involving the attempted election coup. He called on former Vice President Mike Pence to unilaterally discard state electors. He also criticized Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for congratulating President Joe Biden on his election victory, saying, "You typically don't use the term 'congratulations' when someone just stole a bank."

After the attack on the Capitol, Kirk called the violence "bad judgment" and said it was "not wise," continuing, "However, 'not wise' does not mean you're an insurrectionist."

r

Sean Hannity

Fox News Promotes Sen. Johnson’s Salacious Biden Smears

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

On the October 19 edition of his radio show, Fox News host Sean Hannity amplified an unverified and salacious claim about Hunter Biden. The allegation began the day before when Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), appearing on Fox with anchor Maria Bartiromo, made a stunning statement with zero evidence. That segment was widely condemned for its irresponsibility, but Hannity doubled down on its baseless claims, suggesting that "a lot of this is going to pan out to be true."

Read NowShow less
Tucker Carlson

Tucker Carlson’s Top Writer Quits Over White Supremacist Posts

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

On July 10, CNN's Oliver Darcy reported that Blake Neff, the top writer for Tucker Carlson's prime-time Fox News show, had been anonymously posting racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and other offensive content on an online forum for five years. Neff used racist and homophobic slurs, referred to women in a derogatory manner, and pushed white supremacist content while writing for Carlson's show. Neff resigned after CNN contacted him for comment.

As Darcy reported, in an interview with the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine, Neff claimed anything Carlson read during his show was initially drafted by him. Darcy also found instances where there was "some overlap between the forum and the show," as sometimes the "material Neff encountered on the forum found its way on to Carlson's show."

During a 2018 appearance on Fox's The Five to promote his book Ship of Fools, Carlson mentioned Neff by name, calling him a "wonderful writer." Carlson also included Neff in the acknowledgments of the book.


s3.amazonaws.com


Before joining Fox News, Neff worked at The Daily Caller, a conservative news outlet that Carlson co-founded. The outlet has published a number of white supremacists, anti-Semites, and bigots.


Carlson has a long history of promoting white supremacist content on his show. His show has featured many guests who have connections to white supremacy and far-right extremism. Carlson has regularly been praised by Neo-Nazis and various far-right extremist figures, and he's been a hero on many white supremacist podcasts. Users of the extremist online message boards 4chan and 8chan have repeatedly praised Carlson.

The manifesto released by the gunman who killed 20 people in El Paso, Texas, in 2019 was strewn with content that echoed talking points from Carlson's show. Days after the shooting, Carlson declared that calling white supremacy a serious issue is a "hoax" as it is "actually not a real problem in America."

Carlson has been hemorrhaging advertisers following his racist coverage of the Black Lives Matters movement and the recent protests against police brutality. Now that we know his top writer was using content from white supremacist online message boards for Carlson's show, it is more imperative than ever that advertisers distance their brands away from this toxicity.

Joe Biden

Mocking Biden ‘In Basement,’ Fox News Ignores His Health Care Speech In Pennsylvania

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

On the June 25 edition of Bill Hemmer Reports, Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier said that "Democrats are warming to Biden just staying in the basement." This line referenced a common Fox refrain that Biden has been hiding from the public throughout the campaign season, which was repeatedly mentioned earlier in the segment as a "bunker strategy."

Read NowShow less
Tucker Carlson’s Racism Repels Five Big Fox Advertisers

Tucker Carlson’s Racism Repels Five Big Fox Advertisers

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

Update: Shortly after this post was published, Vari dropped Carlson's program as well.

Over the past 72 hours, Tucker Carlson's Fox News show lost four major advertisers: T-Mobile, SmileDirectClub, Disney and Papa John's.

This recent advertising loss began on Tuesday when T-Mobile announced that it would no longer advertise on Carlson's Fox News program. T-Mobile's CEO Mike Sievert also weighed in, responding to a Twitter user who had asked if the company supported a program like Carlson's by saying that "It definitely is not. Bye-bye Tucker Carlson! #BlackLivesMatter"

Read NowShow less
Tucker Carlson’s Dangerous Disinformation About Social Distancing

Tucker Carlson’s Dangerous Disinformation About Social Distancing

  • Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

After state and local governments implemented social distancing measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Tucker Carlson has used his prime-time Fox News show to falsely claim that these measures failed to slow the spread of the virus. In the broader context of Fox News' pattern of airing misinformation about the coronavirus, Carlson's campaign to discredit social distancing policies is particularly glaring and dangerous.

Read NowShow less
2019 Marked Another Year Of Fox News ’Non-troversies’

2019 Marked Another Year Of Fox News ’Non-troversies’

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters

2019 was dominated by conflict and change in the U.S. and across the world. Massive pro-democracy protests erupted in major cities; there was a continuing international rise of authoritarian governmentswhite nationalist hatred continued to spread around the globe; the Trump administration faced an existential threat as House Democrats launched an inquiry into the president’s conduct with Ukraine and brought articles of impeachment against him; and the number of mass shootings outpaced the number of days this year. And yet, Fox News still found time to be outraged about a series of faux controversies in 2019.

As the year comes to a close, it seemed appropriate to look back at some of the most ridiculous non-troversies Fox News aired.

Gillette ad

In January, shaving company Gillette released an advertisement directed toward men in the #MeToo era. The advertisement showed clips depicting bullying among young boys along with sexism in the corporate world and entertainment media. The ad was crafted as a rebuttal to toxic masculine culture and encouraged men to step up, “say the right thing,” and “act the right way.” While many saw the advertisement as an attempt to promote a better society, Fox News blasted the ad and Gillette for attacking men in an unfair and derogatory manner.

Female 007

Lashana Lynch would be cast as 007 in an upcoming James Bond film, “taking over Bond’s secret agent number after his character leaves MI6.” Though Daniel Craig, the current Bond, retained the title role, in September, he and former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan expressed support for the idea of casting a woman for the role in the future. Of course, on Fox News, such rumors of a woman character taking the 007 code name were met with deep-seated outrage and contempt.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A has long been on the frontlines of right-wing media’s culture wars. In November, however, the company announced that it would no longer donate to anti-LGBTQ organizations. Whenever Chick-fil-A happened to be in the news, Fox News was previously quick to trumpet its support for the fast food business. But in this particular case, the network showed deep consternation over what it viewed as the company crumbling in the face of “leftist” attacks.

Nike’s Betsy Ross shoes

Nike planned to release a new shoe for the Fourth of July that would have displayed the 13-star American flag associated with the Revolutionary War and Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross. After former NFL player Colin Kaepernick privately criticized the design to the company, Nike cancelled its planned release of the flag-emblazoned shoe. Fox News took Nike’s cancellation of the Betsy Ross shoe as further proof that “the left” was labeling America and all those who loved it as racists.

The Hunt

After the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, this summer, Universal Pictures first pulled the ads and then cancelled the planned September release of its new film, The Hunt. The film depicted “deplorables” being hunted by “elite liberals” and drew widespread condemnation from right-wing media. On Fox News, the film was presented as evidence of the hypocritical left which wants to sow divisions in the country and pour ridicule on Trump voters.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Singers John Legend and Kelly Clarkson announced plans to release an updated edition of the classic 1944 Christmas song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The song has recently been the subject of controversy for its lyrics, which hint at sexual harassment. Fox News took this new edition as another sign of “the Left’s” relentless drive to destroy all things fun and nostalgic. 

Ms. Monopoly

Toy and board game company Hasbro announced an updated version of their classic game Monopoly this year. Ms. Monopoly would pay women more than men at the beginning of the game and whenever they passed “Go.” The game sought to highlight the ongoing existence of the gender pay gap, something conservatives often dismiss. Fox News greeted the new game by fearmongering about the rise of socialism in America and claiming that it merely patronizes women.

The “War on Thanksgiving”

Fox News’ holiday culture war vitriol just keeps beginning earlier every year. This year, it was a “War On Thanksgiving.”