President Donald Trump renewed his long-running criticism of media figures Monday night, taking aim at two Fox News personalities and urging changes behind the scenes at the network. The remarks, delivered via Truth Social, reflect an ongoing friction between the president and outlets often viewed as politically aligned with his base.
Trump’s comments focused on Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream and The Five co-host Jessica Tarlov. The president criticized Bream over her recent interview with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, accusing her of failing to challenge what he described as “Democrat propaganda and lies.” He also objected to how legislation was referenced during the segment, emphasizing that the SAVE Act is also known as the SAVE America Act and insisting the distinction matters.
In his post, Trump argued that Bream’s program lacked toughness in confronting Democratic lawmakers. He framed the issue as part of a broader concern about media accountability, suggesting that hosts have a responsibility to push back when they believe inaccurate claims are made. The critique reflects a familiar theme for the president, who has frequently accused journalists and commentators of failing to fairly represent his positions or record.
The president’s criticism did not stop there. In a sharper turn, Trump called on Fox executives to remove Tarlov from the air entirely, describing her in strongly negative terms and asserting that viewers find her unappealing. The comments echoed earlier remarks he made about Tarlov, signaling a continued frustration with voices on the network who challenge his narrative or present opposing viewpoints.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of policy debates tied to the SAVE Act, formally known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. Trump has been pushing for the Senate to pass the measure, even if doing so would require eliminating the filibuster. During Bream’s interview, Auchincloss argued that the president lacked a clear strategy for ending the ongoing war involving Iran, a claim that appears to have further fueled Trump’s reaction.
Notably, Trump has previously engaged directly with Fox programming, including a phone interview on The Five last month. Tarlov was not present for that appearance, but the president still used the opportunity to criticize her approach, particularly her use of polling data. He accused her of citing inaccurate numbers and drew a broader comparison between what he called “fake polls” and unreliable journalism.
While Trump softened his tone slightly at the time—saying he was sure Tarlov was “a lovely person”—his latest remarks suggest that any goodwill has faded. Monday’s comments mark at least the second time he has publicly targeted both Bream and Tarlov, continuing a pattern that dates back to earlier campaign-season clashes.
The episode highlights a recurring tension between political leaders and the media figures who cover them, even within networks that often attract similar audiences. As debates over legislation and foreign policy continue, the friction underscores how messaging battles can unfold not only between parties, but within the broader conservative media landscape itself.
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