On the same Tuesday that former President Donald J. Trump was indicted for federal crimes in a Miami courtroom, Fox News’ Chiron called President Biden a “wannabe dictator,” in a video of President Biden speaking from the White House. seems to have called
The on-screen text briefly appeared at the bottom of a split-screen broadcast showing President Biden and former President Trump addressing their respective lecterns at the White House and at the Trump Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
“Aspiring dictator speaks at White House after arrest of political opponent,” reported Chiron. It didn’t mention Mr. Biden’s name, but the implication is clear.
The alert was recently announced on the afternoon of primetime show Fox News Tonight, replacing the primetime show hosted by popular Nightside host Tucker Carlson, who was fired from the station in April. It was displayed at the end of the 8 o’clock broadcast. Footage of Mr. Biden showed him speaking at a holiday event on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday.
The term “wannabe dictator” was unusually strong, even for a network that has generally been friendly with President Trump and has been a strong critic of the Biden administration.
On Tuesday’s Fox News Tonight, host Brian Kilmeade called Trump “president of the united states” he said before starting his speech at a New Jersey club.
A representative for Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, became the first former president to be indicted for federal crimes on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to handling and refusing to return classified documents after he left office.
Late Tuesday, after President Biden comment At a White House reception for U.S. diplomats, he refused to answer reporters’ questions about Trump’s appearance in court.
Many major television networks have refused to broadcast the president’s speech live, fearing it could give him a platform to spread misinformation. When CNN hosted a town hall with Trump in May, it was heavily criticized by observers who said its decision to broadcast the event live was irresponsible.
Since the 2020 election, Fox News has occasionally cut Trump’s speeches or refused to air them. In some cases, such as Tuesday, the network gave a window of prime time.
