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, Trumphasfrequentlymerged his presidential and businessinterests, creating unprecedentedconflicts of interest and constitutionalissues. 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)
From the August 15, 2018, edition of Fox News’ The Five.
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 2016event 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;
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.
Bossie attendeda 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.
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 23gala 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.
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…
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.
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.
After days of White House attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Trump administration is now claiming it "values" the expertise of its medical advisers.
Peter Navarro, Donald Trump's top trade adviser, published a scathing opinion piece in USA Today on Tuesday attacking Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force.
<p>In the piece, titled, "Anthony Fauci has been wrong about everything I have interacted with him on," Navarro blamed Fauci for opposing some travel restrictions; backing the widespread use of face masks after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-mask-advice-was-because-doctors-shortages-from-the-start-2020-6" target="_blank">initially</a> urging people to save them for medical professionals; opposing the use of hydroxychloroquine — the <a href="https://americanindependent.com/donald-trump-hydroxychloroquine-coronavirus-fda-malaria-twitter-covid-19/" target="_blank">unproven</a> anti-malarial medication Trump touted as a "miracle" cure — to treat COVID-19; and <a href="https://www.axios.com/fauci-coronavirus-death-rate-c763343d-15d2-4bef-bd7f-38109926c229.html" target="_blank">advising</a> the public that a declining death rate from the virus should not encourage "false complacency."</p><script id="3d14008d7e044c36b256c61ff82728bb">
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</script><p>"So when you ask me whether I listen to Dr. Fauci's advice, my answer is: only with skepticism and caution," Navarro wrote.</p><p>On Wednesday morning, White House strategic communications director Alyssa Farah claimed Navarro had not received approval from the administration before publishing his piece in <em>USA Today</em>.</p><p>"The Peter Navarro op-ed didn't go through normal White House clearance process and is the opinion of Peter alone," Farah <a href="https://twitter.com/Alyssafarah/status/1283377019183603720" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, adding that Trump "values the expertise of the medical professionals advising his Administration."</p><div class="inarticle_ad_placeholder" data-aa-adunit="/5931858/NatMemo_RM/NatMemo_Middle_Desktop_2" data-aaad="true"></div><p>Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterHotez/status/1283214689435103233?s=20" target="_blank">called</a> Navarro's piece "an outright and full blown Antiscience disinformation campaign."</p><p>But while the Trump administration has disclaimed this latest attack, it has launched several other attempts to discredit Fauci in recent weeks using many of the same arguments as Navarro.</p><p>On Monday, a White House staffer <a href="https://americanindependent.com/donald-trump-anthony-fauci-coronavirus-blame-white-house-pandemic-covid-19/" target="_blank">sent</a> a long list of Fauci's "wrong" prior comments to the<em> </em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/11/fauci-trump-coronavirus/" target="_blank"><em>Washington Post</em></a>, including statements Fauci had made based on the limited information about the novel coronavirus available in the early days of the pandemic.</p><p>Last Thursday, Trump <a href="https://factba.se/transcript/donald-trump-interview-hannity-fox-news-july-9-2020" target="_blank">told</a> Fox News, "Dr. Fauci is a nice man, but he's made a lot of mistakes, like, you don't have to ban them coming in from very infected China. I did it anyway, and we saved hundreds of thousands of lives." Nonpartisan fact-checkers have <a href="https://www.factcheck.org/2020/04/trumps-snowballing-china-travel-claim/" target="_blank">debunked</a> Trump's frequent claim that his January partial freeze on travel from China had had that impact.</p><p>Last Tuesday, Trump said, "I disagree with him. Dr. Fauci said don't wear masks and now he says wear them. And he said numerous things. 'Don't close off China.'"</p><p>Navarro had previously <a href="https://americanindependent.com/peter-navarro-coronavirus-anthony-fauci-economist-donald-trump-cnn-covid-19/" target="_blank">attacked</a> Fauci's credibility about hydroxychloroquine, telling CNN in April that, as social scientist with a doctorate who "understand[s] how to read statistical studies," he was just as qualified to discuss medicine as the nation's top epidemiologist.</p><p>Recent polls have shown that Americans <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/27/upshot/coronavirus-americans-trust-experts.html" target="_blank">trust Fauci</a> far more than they do <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/broad-disapproval-trumps-handling-coronavirus-race-relations-poll/story?id=71704889" target="_blank">Trump</a> for accurate information about the pandemic.</p><p>Fauci is not the only public health expert Trump has sought to undermine in recent days.</p><p>On Monday, he <a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1282630838845345794" target="_blank">retweeted</a> a <a href="https://americanindependent.com/donald-trump-chuck-woolery-cdc-coronavirus-2020-election-twitter-covid-19/" target="_blank">baseless claim</a> made by a fellow former television game show host alleging that the "CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors" are "lying" about COVID-19 to prevent an economic recovery that would help Trump get reelected.</p><div class="inarticle_ad_placeholder" data-aa-adunit="/5931858/NatMemo_RM/NatMemo_Middle_Desktop_3" data-aaad="true"></div><p><em>Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.</em></p>
