President Donald Trump unleashed sharp criticism against Fox News in a recent Truth Social post, targeting anchor Shannon Bream and liberal commentator Jessica Tarlov while reacting to a “Fox News Sunday” interview with Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Jake Auchincloss.
In the post, directed partly at network executives, Trump accused Bream of failing to push back against what he called Democratic “propaganda and lies.” He specifically corrected her for referring to legislation as the “Save Act” instead of the Save America Act (also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act). This bill requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and imposes stricter photo ID rules for voting, a key Republican priority for election integrity that has advanced in the House but faces Senate challenges.
Trump wrote: “Tell Shannon Bream of FoxNews that it’s not the Save Act, it’s the Save America Act, a big difference! Also, when she insists on having lightweight Democrat Congressmen, such as Jake Auchincloss, on her not very hard hitting show, she should correct them when they spew out Democrat propaganda and lies. She never does!”
He added praise for his own deal-making record, contrasting it with Democrats and referencing past successes with China.
Trump then turned his fire on Jessica Tarlov, a regular Democratic panelist on “The Five” and other Fox programs. He urged executives: “For Fox executives only, take Jessica Tarlov off the air. She is, from her voice, to her lies, and everything else about her, one of the worst ‘personalities’ on television, a real loser! People cannot stand watching her. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
This is not Trump’s first clash with Tarlov. In March, during an appearance on “The Five,” he said the show would be better without her and accused her of using inaccurate polling numbers.
The trigger for the latest outburst appears to be Auchincloss’s appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” The Democratic congressman and Marine veteran described U.S. military actions against Iran—referred to as Operation Epic Fury—as a “strategic failure.” He argued that the conflict had given Iran new leverage through its influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, claiming Tehran now sees control of the waterway as more valuable than nuclear weapons development. Trump and his administration reject this assessment, highlighting successes in degrading Iranian capabilities.
Separately, Trump escalated his long-running battle with CNN this week. The network reported on a statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council claiming “great victory” in the conflict and asserting that the U.S. had been forced into a 10-point cease-fire agreement. That alleged deal reportedly included lifting sanctions, withdrawing U.S. forces, accepting Iran’s nuclear enrichment, and coordinating passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump labeled the CNN report a “FRAUD,” claiming it originated from a fake news site in Nigeria rather than official Iranian channels. He posted what he described as Iran’s authentic statement on Truth Social and suggested authorities investigate whether a crime occurred. CNN defended its reporting as accurately conveying Iran’s public claims via state media, a common practice even with adversarial governments.
The broader context involves a fragile two-week ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran conflict announced in early April 2026. Tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites. Negotiations continue in places like Pakistan, with disputes persisting over sanctions, nuclear issues, and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides have claimed victories, but analysts describe the truce as tenuous amid ongoing regional frictions.
Trump’s history with Fox News includes past grievances, such as the network’s 2020 election night projection for Arizona. His direct, unfiltered style—demanding tougher scrutiny of Democrats from perceived friendly outlets while dismissing critical coverage elsewhere—remains unchanged. Fox has not publicly responded to the latest demands, and Tarlov continues appearing on air. Media organizations generally defend balanced panels and reporting on official statements as standard journalistic practice, even during high-stakes national security matters.
