All was not quiet on Fox News during the 2026 midterm elections.
The network's host and commentators, like other broadcast journalists, were up late covering the results of the races across the country, as Democrats took control of both houses of Congress in a "blue wave."
But in addition to their reporting duties, they also were hearing, live, from President Donald Trump about the Republican losses, and some harsh criticism and blame for the network itself.For years Trump has favored Fox News, but in the weeks leading up to the midterms that began to change: Trump suggested that if the Republicans were not victorious some of the blame would fall on Fox News itself. On Election Night, the president doubled down on those claims, both on his Truth
Social platform and bycalling in to Fox's coverage live in the middle of the night.
Early on in the evening, Trump turned to his social media platform Truth Social to criticize Fox extensively, particularly for featuring Democratic pundit Jessica Tarlov among its panels of commentators, calling her "dumb as a rock" and a "loser."
He also said Fox polls were "always the worst," and directly blamed the network for the Republican party’s failure to hold the House of Representatives and Senate, writing: “Fox News bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse.”
Trump then called into Fox's live election coverage around midnight ET. "You ought to get yourself a good pollster, because your pollsters are the worst," he said.
And while the hosts often get along easily with Trump, anchor Bret Baier pushed back, pointing out that "tonight, actually, the results are pretty close to what the Fox polls showed."
Trump also texted Fox News host Greg Gutfeld earlier on Tuesday during an episode of talk show "The Five" to complain about Tarlov. The hosts were, rather fittingly, discussing political spam texts.
"We’re talking about getting political texts, you wouldn’t believe this one I got from somebody called the president!" said Gutfeld, who also hosts a comedy program on the network.
He read the texts aloud, claiming Trump texted him: "'Greg, tell Tarlov, who is the WORST' – and worst is in capitals – 'gas prices are lower than they were for Biden and Obama and they allowed Iran to have the nuclear bomb.'"
"'Furthermore I inherited the worst prices and inflation in history from Sleepy Joe,'" the text continued. "'Prices are heading down FAST' – all caps – 'just like all other prices and so is inflation which is 1.7% for the last three months, and there will be no nuclear 'bomb.' Bomb is in quotes. 'President DJT.'"
Tarlov, who did not appear amused by the texts, told the table, "Just press 'Stop,'" and said to Gutfeld, "At least he didn’t ask for $5."
Overall, the tone of the coverage on Fox on Election Night was subdued, recognizing the Democratic gains while debating what the results mean for the long term. Host Jesse Waters called voters "impatient" and said they wanted "instant gratification" as a reason for the "blue wave."
The hosts notably did not blame the president for the Republican losses. Trump's former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, now a Fox commentator, said, "Unfortunately, I think the American people forgot about the good policy, [and] maybe listened to the lying media on the other side that is definitely in the back seat of the Democratic party."
At one point, host Will Cain said, "I look at the pros and the cons of the last two years under Donald Trump, and the pros significantly outweigh the cons."
Host Laura Ingraham was one of the few who suggested the election was a "referendum on Trump," noting that "overwhelmingly his policies have been phenomenal for the country. Overwhelmingly, the stuff he’s promised, he’s done, and it’s worked out fabulously."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fox News hosts clash with Trump live on air during Election Night
