Post-election, Lara Trump had a myriad of opportunities awaiting her. Following an impressive turn as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara had set the stage for what could be a glowing political career. The impactfulness of her father-in-law, Donald Trump, the soon-to-be most influential person in the world, presented her with significant influence. In the initial stages, there were discussions around Lara stepping into the role of Secretary of State, replacing Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, however, she decided to carve her own path and join Fox News as a show host.
Her Fox show, ‘My View with Lara Trump,’ is a standout moment in the television industry, given that no other immediate family member of a sitting President has hosted a show on a leading news network. This development marks an important stage in the longstanding mutually beneficial relationship between the Trump family and Fox News. Even with the occasional friction between Trump-centered media and Fox, dating back to the election night of 2020, Lara’s new show stands as a testament to the enduring bond.
The bit of unease occurred when Fox News was the first to announce Arizona as a winning state for Joe Biden, causing a ripple among Trump followers. In response to this, there’s been a rise in other hard-right media outlets, such as Newsmax, One America News Network, Right Side Broadcasting Network, and Real America’s Voice. These alternatives to Fox News have emerged in the wake of the Trump-Fox tussle, aiming to keep the MAGA reins within their grasp.
Some Trump followers felt a slight shift in Fox News’s support, causing them to question its standing among the MAGA stalwarts. However, critics view Lara Trump’s promotion as yet another testament to her father-in-law’s strong influence within the conservative media environment. But, it cannot be denied that her new show represents a significant evolution in the Trump-focused broadcast scene, with some perceiving it as leaning towards direct propaganda for the Trump Administration.
Detractors worry about Trump’s possible control over powerful communication channels to rally public support, specifically the top cable news network and leading social media platforms. Nonetheless, Lara’s progression to Fox News seems like a natural move, given her earlier role as a paid contributor to the network and as the RNC co-chair in March 2024.
In her RNC role, Lara was instrumental in raising substantial funds and served as a valuable TV representative for their campaign. This caused speculation that Trump was preparing her to inherit the legacy of the MAGA movement. While she entertained the thought, she ultimately decided against it, pointing to her responsibilities towards her two young children.
Instead of formulating legislation, Lara has taken on the crucial task of shaping narratives, conducting thought-provoking long-form interviews with Trump officials and significant figures within the MAGA political sphere. Rather than engaging in politics directly, she prefers to take the seat of a moderator every Saturday at 9 p.m, sparking conversations and unraveling perspectives.
Her inaugural broadcast features an interesting segment titled ‘Women of the Trump White House.’ In this segment, she would be conducting interviews with some of the leading women in the Trump administration, namely Attorney General Pam Bondi, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Supporters of Trump view Lara’s show as an unequivocal indication of Fox’s renewed commitment to the former President. Despite the tumultuous period following the 2020 election and the incidents at the U.S Capitol on Jan. 6, Fox News seems to have re-embraced Trump through this strategic move.
During Trump’s election campaign, there was a seeming preferential treatment towards Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by some Fox hosts and contributors. This caused a minor rift between Trump and DeSantis. However, that situation was a fleeting one as Trump eventually reinstated his relationship with the network.
When Trump announced his second White House run in November 2022, there were a few months where he chose to keep some distance from the network. In this interval, other right-wing networks, podcasts, and platforms filled the space, branding themselves as staunch MAGA loyalists.
Even so, as the Trump coalition began to explore non-traditional sources of news and information, Fox News remained the premier cable network. Its influence continues to be significant in Trump’s Washington, acting as a powerhouse in rallying public support for his ambitious second-term agenda.