Trump asks ‘what the hell has happened’ to Fox News after interview with Democratic senator

President Trump on Tuesday lashed out at Fox News for having Democrats on air, predicting it would mark “the beginning of the end” for the network.

The president bemoaned that Fox was “trying to be so politically correct” by having Democrats on air following an appearance on “America’s Newsroom” from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

“So, what the hell has happened to @FoxNews. Only I know!” Trump tweeted, turning his scorn to two news anchors who have challenged favorable commentary on the president.

“Chris Wallace and others should be on Fake News CNN or MSDNC,” he continued. “How’s Shep Smith doing? Watch, this will be the beginning of the end for Fox, just like the other two which are dying in the ratings. Social Media is great!”

Really pathetic how @FoxNews is trying to be so politically correct by loading the airwaves with Democrats like Chris Van Hollen, the no name Senator from Maryland. He has been on forever playing up the Impeachment Hoax. Dems wouldn’t even give Fox their low ratings debates….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 28, 2020

The president’s complaint about Van Hollen’s appearance comes as his impeachment trial is set to enter its seventh day in the Senate. Democratic senators have pushed for additional witnesses, including former national security adviser John Bolton, to testify.

Trump has frequently belittled Fox News when news anchors deliver unfavorable analysis or when Democrats are featured prominently on air. He has in the past targeted Smith, who left the network last year, Wallace and former Democratic National Committee (DNC) leader Donna Brazille, who is a contributor for the network.

Yet Fox News remains his preferred network in many ways. He sat for an interviews earlier this month with Laura Ingraham and Fox Business Network host Maria Bartiromo and spoke with the network last week at the March for Life. He regularly tweets out quotes from Fox News guests and cites commentary from opinion hosts like Sean Hannity and Lou Dobbs.

Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent who tracks data about the presidency, noted Trump has given 70 interviews to Fox since taking office, compared to five for the next closest major network.