Fox News Faces Backlash for Keeping Tarlov After latest Controversial Comments

Fox News Channel has found itself at the center of controversy yet again, this time for the continued employment of liberal contributor Jessica Tarlov following her incendiary remarks aimed at former President Donald Trump. Social media erupted in outrage after a segment aired where Tarlov used language some claim could incite violence against Trump, a man who has already survived two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign.

During the segment, Tarlov, notorious for her anti-Trump rhetoric, stated, “This is the chance to put the final nail in the coffin so that you don’t have Donald Trump on the ballot again.” The phrasing was widely interpreted by Trump supporters and conservatives as dangerous and potentially provocative in light of the violent threats already posed against Trump. Many questioned why Fox News would allow such charged language to be broadcast on a supposedly conservative network.

Outspoken conservative commentator Laura Loomer, known for holding no punches, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the clip of Tarlov’s comments. Loomer didn’t mince words, writing, “Fox News host Jessica Tarlov @JessicaTarlov, who is a Kamala Harris supporter and Democrat strategist, just incited violence against President Trump LIVE ON AIR after he survived 2 assassination attempts. She should be fired for this.” Loomer’s post echoed a sentiment shared by many on the right: How can Fox News, a network that once stood as a stronghold for conservative voices, continue to employ someone so openly hostile toward the party’s leading candidate

Calls for Tarlov’s removal came in swiftly. “FOX News time to fire Jessica Tarlov if you want ANY viewers left!” one viewer demanded, emphasizing the risk Fox faces of alienating its conservative audience. Another critic questioned the appropriateness of Tarlov’s language, asking, “Why did Jessica Tarlov feel it was necessary to use that idiom ‘final nail in the coffin’? She failed to simply report the news and instead gave her opinion.”

Viewers also expressed their disappointment with Fox News as a whole. One disillusioned former fan of the network wrote, “@FoxNews has been my only news source, but I’m dropping it immediately after watching this. Not putting it or *The Five* back on again if I see @JessicaTarlov spreading lies or inflammatory rhetoric that could get Trump killed.” This growing discontent has led many to wonder if Fox is slowly losing the trust of its once-loyal audience by allowing liberal voices like Tarlov’s to dominate the airwaves.

Despite the overwhelming backlash, a few viewers defended Tarlov, arguing that while her choice of words was poor, it was simply a figure of speech. “Come on now. Even as a Trump supporter, I know an idiom when I see one. I’m from the south, and I can’t stand her either! Don’t do this. Don’t be like the left! She should’ve chosen her words more carefully, but it was just a poor choice of words,” one person remarked, attempting to quell the outrage.

Regardless of whether Tarlov’s comments were intentional or a mere misstep, there is no denying that the media, particularly the left-leaning mainstream, has been pushing increasingly hostile rhetoric toward former President Trump. In fact, former First Lady Melania Trump recently condemned the toxic environment surrounding her husband, highlighting the role of the media in stoking division and danger.

In a recent interview, Melania spoke candidly about the vitriol directed at her husband, saying, “Is it really shocking that all this violence goes against my husband, especially when we hear leaders from the opposition party and the mainstream media branding him as a threat to democracy, calling him vile names? They are only fueling a toxic atmosphere and giving power to those who want to do him harm.” The fact that such language is being tolerated, and even propagated, by certain voices on Fox News is an alarming signal to conservatives who once considered the network a safe space for their views. If Fox wants to retain its credibility among its core viewers, it must address this issue swiftly. Anything less will likely deepen the divide between the network and the audience that helped make it a media powerhouse.