"Twice recently, the people who run Fox News were reminded of their biggest nightmare. The conservative network Newsmax's $67 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over false claims after the 2020 election recalled Fox's own $787.5 million deal with the same company more than two years ago. New legal papers filed last month by a second company suing Fox, Smartmatic, also put an episode they would like to forget back in the news."
"Between the staggering payment to bypass a defamation trial and revelations about the lengths to which Fox went to avoid telling its audience what it didn't want to hear about Donald Trump's defeat, many wondered if its actions in November 2020 would damage Fox News or compel it to change directions. Not so much, it turns out. Fox News Channel has defied gravity with its ratings, and is more popular with viewers this summer than ABC, CBS or NBC."
"Its top personalities resolutely support Trump, who has filled his second administration with former Fox stars like Pete Hegseth and Jeanine Pirro. Time after time, the White House turns to Fox to make news; shortly after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump was sitting with Sean Hannity. Reached by The Associated Press, Fox declined to make anyone available to speak for this story."
Newsmax agreed to a $67 million settlement with Dominion, echoing Fox News's earlier $787.5 million settlement, and Smartmatic filed new legal papers against Fox. Questions arose about whether Fox's 2020 actions would harm its standing, but Fox increased viewership and influence. Fox News averaged 2.63 million weekday prime-time viewers in Q2 2025, a 56% rise from 2023, despite a ratings hit after Tucker Carlson's firing and continued cord-cutting in the industry. Top Fox personalities strongly support Trump, who has appointed former Fox figures to his administration, and the White House repeatedly turns to Fox for coverage. An ethos of no regrets or apologies has spread.
Read at Fast Company
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