Steve Bannon’s latest salvo against Fox News has conservatives buzzing. The former Trump adviser demanded a probe into the network’s alleged connections to foreign intelligence and political groups, accusing it of pushing a pro-Israel agenda. His comments expose a rift in Trump’s inner circle over U.S. foreign policy.
According to the Washington Examiner, Bannon, speaking Thursday on One America News’s The Matt Gaetz Show, didn’t mince words. He suggested Fox News might be cozying up to foreign entities, questioning the source of their “talking points.” This isn’t just a spat—it’s a symptom of deeper divisions among Trump’s allies.
President Donald Trump recently greenlit U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move that stirred debate. Bannon and Tucker Carlson, both vocal critics of U.S. intervention, have slammed the decision, particularly Fox News’s coverage of it. Their isolationist stance clashes with the network’s apparent support for the strikes.
Bannon’s accusations zero in on Fox News’s alleged bias toward Israel. He claimed the network operates at the “behest of the Israel First crowd,” ignoring counterarguments to its pro-intervention narrative. It’s a bold charge, but one that risks alienating Trump’s broader base.
Evidence suggests Trump’s rank-and-file supporters largely back the Iran strikes. Conservative commentator Mark Levin, a staunch Trump ally, cited an 80% approval rate among Americans for the operation. Bannon’s dissent, while fiery, seems out of step with the MAGA mainstream.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed Bannon’s gripes, amplifying the anti-Fox sentiment. She’s joined a growing chorus of conservatives frustrated with the network’s coverage. Yet, their complaints face pushback from those who see Fox as a reliable voice.
Mark Levin didn’t take Bannon’s attacks lying down. “Nobody gives a sh** about what you, Bannon [think],” Levin blasted, accusing him of disloyalty to Trump during a critical moment. His sharp rebuke underscores the personal stakes in this conservative feud.
Levin further charged Bannon with giving “aid and comfort to the enemy” by opposing the Iran strikes. He painted Bannon and his allies as a “tiny cabal of lunatics” out of touch with American sentiment. It’s a stinging zinger that cuts deep into Bannon’s credibility.
Bannon, undeterred, doubled down on his criticism of Levin and Fox News. “Levin’s the worst but by far not the only at Fox News,” he said, slamming the network for stifling debate. His defiance keeps the controversy simmering, but at what cost to unity?
Fox News isn’t just catching flak from Bannon’s camp—it’s taking hits from all sides. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the network Thursday for a report downplaying Trump’s Iran strikes. He called out chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin for “misrepresenting” the operation’s success.
Hegseth didn’t hold back, accusing Griffin of cheering against Trump’s success. “It’s like in your DNA,” he said, suggesting her reporting undermines the president. His pointed critique adds fuel to the narrative of Fox News as an unreliable player. Officials later confirmed Iran’s nuclear sites were “completely” obliterated, contradicting Fox’s initial report. This vindication bolstered Hegseth’s case but deepened distrust in the network’s coverage. Fox’s credibility is taking a beating, and it’s not just conservatives noticing.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom piled on Friday, filing a lawsuit against Fox News. He alleged the network misrepresented a phone call with Trump to smear him. “If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences,” Newsom declared.
Newsom’s legal jab, while from the left, aligns with conservative complaints about Fox’s trustworthiness. He argued Americans deserve honest reporting from major outlets. It’s a rare point of agreement in a polarized media landscape, though motives differ.
Fox News now finds itself in a precarious spot, fending off attacks from both MAGA loyalists and progressive foes. Bannon’s call for an investigation may not gain traction, but it’s a symptom of a broader conservative discontent. The network’s next moves will be closely watched as Trump’s base wrestles with its foreign policy future.
