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Where Would America Be Without the Prescience of The Fox News Channel?
By: Fern Sidman
Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Fox News Channel demonstrated a remarkable prescience, capturing the core concerns of the American electorate with unparalleled clarity. While major media outlets shifted their focus to key voter issues only as the election neared, Fox News had long been emphasizing the topics that ultimately defined the race. From economic anxieties and surging crime rates to border control, Fox News anchored its coverage on the very issues that would come to shape the election’s outcome, proving that they understood the American public’s pulse in a way few others did.
For years, Fox News has been steadfast in its border coverage, recognizing it as a priority for American voters. Since 2021, the network has aired continuous stories on the influx of migrants, the pressures on border communities, and the federal government’s handling of the crisis. This early emphasis, met initially with skepticism from rival networks, became impossible to ignore as border issues surged to the forefront of national discourse. Other major news organizations, which had largely downplayed or ignored the story, began sending their reporters to the border in response to increasing public interest, proving that Fox News had indeed been ahead of the curve.
Another area where Fox News’s foresight became evident was in its focus on crime in American cities. As many news outlets either downplayed rising crime rates or presented it as a localized issue, Fox News reported persistently on the shifting conditions in urban areas and the challenges facing law enforcement. This unrelenting coverage highlighted a critical concern that resonated deeply with voters, especially those in cities and suburbs grappling with escalating crime. The network’s reporting not only documented these changes but also gave voice to communities often neglected in national conversations, solidifying Fox’s reputation as a news organization willing to go where others would not.
Economically, too, Fox News exhibited a strong grasp of the electorate’s priorities. Amid debates over inflation, wages, and job security, the network provided extensive analysis on the state of the economy, discussing not only the immediate impact of economic policies but also their long-term consequences on American households. Fox’s reporting on the economy drew from its “FOX & Friends” series, which took to diners and barbershops across the country, gathering insights directly from everyday Americans. This unique approach allowed Fox News to gauge the nation’s economic sentiment directly from the people most affected, creating a stark contrast with other networks that relied more on metropolitan-centric perspectives.
The Five’s Jesse Watters on Kamala Harris’ Campaign(above)
One of the most contentious issues Fox News tackled was President Biden’s cognitive decline. Fox’s early coverage of this sensitive topic was initially met with criticism, with detractors accusing the network of sensationalism. However, as clips of Biden’s verbal slips and stumbles became more widely viewed, the issue gained traction, culminating in increased scrutiny of Biden’s fitness for office as he approached the presidential debate. Fox’s audience, having seen the unedited context on the network, was perhaps less surprised by Biden’s debate performance than the viewers of other networks, where discussion of the president’s age and health had previously been downplayed. This prescient focus once again highlighted Fox News’s unique grasp of the electorate’s concerns, particularly within the Democratic Party, where some voices began questioning Biden’s decision not to step aside after the 2022 midterms.
Adding further depth to its coverage, Fox News brought its seasoned journalist Bret Baier directly to voters. Baier’s commitment to taking his show on the road allowed him to report live from crucial swing states, where he engaged with local communities to understand the issues that shaped their voting intentions. This method of grassroots journalism spoke volumes about the network’s commitment to getting an authentic sense of American public sentiment, offering voters a platform to express their views on issues that might otherwise remain unheard on a national level.
‘Trump territory’: Hurricane-ravaged areas in NC appear to shift red(above)
Fox News boasts the most politically diverse viewership, attracting a larger number of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans tuning in regularly than any other network. Additionally, Fox News uniquely featured interviews with all four major candidates—Trump, Vance, Harris, and Walz—within the span of a single week. Furthermore, the Fox News Channel led as the most-watched network for election night coverage, surpassing all competitors across both cable and broadcast news platforms.
In the early hours of Wednesday, with the call coming at precisely 1:47 a.m. ET declaring that Trump has been reelected, it became clear that Fox News’s investment in understanding the American people had paid off. By the time other networks had recognized the critical role of issues such as rising crime, the economy, and border security, Fox News had already cultivated a deep understanding of the electorate’s priorities. This comprehensive, on-the-ground approach enabled Fox to anticipate and, in many ways, predict the outcome of the presidential race, reaffirming their role as a news outlet with an unwavering commitment to the American public’s concerns.
In reflecting on the election’s aftermath, Fox News stands out as a network that prioritized the American electorate’s voice. By making meaningful investments in long-term coverage and grassroots outreach, the network earned its reputation as a channel with a finger firmly on the pulse of the nation—delivering insights that others recognized only when it was too late. For those who were tuned into Fox, the election results were no surprise, affirming Fox News as a major player in shaping and reflecting the public discourse in one of the most consequential election cycles in recent history.
In the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, mainstream media coverage has intentionally skewed toward a fallacious narrative of Israel as the ruthless aggressor, with networks such as MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and the BBC characterizing Israeli actions in Gaza through a tendentious lens. These networks have suggested that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are engaged in “genocide” or “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinian civilians. However, Fox News, has notably diverged from this narrative, providing a completely honest and forthright portrayal of the complex dynamics in Gaza and the role of Hamas.
In the midst of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst played a crucial role in delivering first-hand accounts from some of the most devastated locations, providing in-depth coverage that brought the brutal realities of the conflict to global audiences. His work on the ground included extensive reporting on the Kfar Aza massacre, where he witnessed the harrowing aftermath of violence inflicted on innocent civilians. Yingst’s presence and live reporting from conflict zones, particularly from sites of mass tragedy, highlighted his commitment to revealing the human toll of war.
On October 11, 2023, Yingst broadcasted live from Kibbutz Be’eri, the site of another horrendous massacre that left the community in shock and mourning. Standing amidst the remains of destroyed homes and lives, Yingst described the overwhelming experience, telling viewers, “You could smell the stench of death in the air,” and calling it “the most horrific thing I have ever seen.” His descriptive, direct language conveyed the raw reality of the situation, providing audiences with a visceral sense of the tragedy unfolding in Israel. His words reflected not only the devastation left behind by the Hamas violence but also his own shock and horror, tempered by his calm and poised demeanor.
In addition to covering the massacres, Yingst embedded with the IDF as they advanced into Gaza in pursuit of Hamas strongholds. This close proximity to the conflict placed him in high-risk situations, including moments where he was forced to seek cover due to imminent dangers. Yingst’s courage and dedication to reporting from within conflict zones earned him significant praise from colleagues at Fox News, viewers, and journalism professionals alike. His calm, articulate delivery, even under intense stress, exemplified the professionalism and resolve needed in war reporting.<Harris-Walz communications director Michael Tyler joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ on Election Day.(above)
A major aspect of Yingst’s coverage in Gaza included the IDF’s operations targeting Hamas infrastructure, notably the intricate network of tunnels beneath Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. This location, suspected to be a Hamas operational center, posed a complex challenge for Israeli forces due to the surrounding civilian infrastructure. Yingst’s reporting illuminated the tactical difficulties and ethical considerations faced by the IDF, as well as the intensity of the conflict within Gaza’s urban landscape. By embedding with the IDF, Yingst provided Fox News viewers with a front-row perspective on the strategic operations, illustrating the complex realities of urban warfare and the dangers posed to civilians and combatants alike.
In August 2024, Trey Yingst announced the release of his first book, “Black Saturday,” which documents his experience on October 7, 2023—the day of the Hamas attack on Israel—and his subsequent reporting throughout the ensuing war. “Black Saturday,” published by Fox News Books in October 2024, marked the first anniversary of the attacks and serves as both a historical account and a personal memoir of his time on the frontlines. The book delves into Yingst’s encounters with survivors, soldiers, and civilians affected by the violence, capturing the indelible impact of the war on those who experienced it directly.
Yingst’s dedication to shedding light on the atrocities of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war has resonated deeply with Fox News readers and viewers, offering an authentic, uncompromising perspective on the impact of conflict. His coverage from Kfar Aza, Kibbutz Be’eri, and Gaza not only documented the physical destruction but also revealed the emotional and psychological scars that war leaves behind. Black Saturday stands as a testament to Yingst’s role as a witness to history as a Fox News war correspondent as he recounts the grim realities of October 7 and the resilience of those who endured it.
And let’s not forget that the engine behind the stellar news coverage at Fox is composed of a group of professionals that is unmatched in the cable news arena.
During the 2024 election cycle, Fox News Channel assembled a comprehensive team of anchors, correspondents, and analysts to provide extensive coverage. The primary anchors leading the coverage were Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, who co-anchored the network’s primetime election night broadcast.
Bill Hemmer played a pivotal role in analyzing election data, utilizing the “Bill-board” to offer in-depth insights into voting patterns and results.
Harris Faulkner engaged with voters throughout the day, hosting live audience segments to capture public sentiment.
Additional analysis was provided by a panel of experts, including Dana Perino, Brit Hume, Harold Ford Jr., Jessica Tarlov, Karl Rove, and Kellyanne Conway.
Correspondents were strategically positioned across key locations such as Jacqui Heinrich and Mark Meredith who reported from Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign headquarters.
Aishah Hasnie and Bill Melugin covered former President Donald Trump’s headquarters and Peter Doocy handled White House reporting.
Trace Gallagher took over anchoring duties starting at 2 a.m. to continue coverage as results came in.
Shannon Bream and John Roberts co-anchored election night coverage from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
This extensive team ensured that Fox News provided thorough and real-time coverage of the 2024 election, delivering insights and updates from across the nation.
Fern Sidman is the editor-at-large at The Jewish Voice
