Fox Needs to be Less Tolerant of Trump’s Nasty, Divisive Language

 

In the wake of Donald Trump’s generally negative influence on the congressional vote of last year, there was a noticeable reduction in the number of plaudits from Fox News, et al.  Florida’s Ron DeSantis appeared to be the beneficiary.  Although polls reflected a dip in the former president’s Republican base soon thereafter, more recent samplings of party opinion suggest not only a halt to the erosion but even a return to prior levels of majority GOP support.

For those who believe the renomination of Trump would be a Republican and national disaster (TSC firmly included), Fox needs to heighten efforts to thwart his plans.

How?  Besides highlighting the candidacies – announced or otherwise- of competing conservatives, Fox can contribute to a revived weakening of Donald Trump’s support by being less tolerant of his nasty and divisive language which so poisons political discourse.

A good example of how his words should not be treated occurred recently when the black New York City prosecutor then considering Trump’s indictment was called an “animal”.  On one level, the term as applied was silly and reminiscent of a middle school student.  But it was more condemnable when the target was a black person (historically labeled “apes” by many bigots).

A second tier Fox anchor commenting on the statement lamely noted that he wouldn’t have said that but agreed the prosecutor was displaying bias.

Not good enough.  Trump’s remarks were simply not to be tolerated or excused, but rather strongly condemned as being “beyond the pale”.  Standards of acceptable behavior or speech (routinely ignored by Donald Trump) deserve to be re-established.  Pointing out his breach is appropriate and it should be forcefully done.  Maybe such rebuke from a trusted network will serve the conservative cause.