The MeidasTouch Podcast: Media Matters Fellow Matthew Gertz Reveals Fox Study
Release Date: May 17, 2025

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, hosts Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas engage in a profound discussion with Matt Gertz, a senior fellow at Media Matters. The conversation delves into the intricate relationship between Fox News and the Trump administration, revealing unsettling insights into media propaganda and its impact on American democracy.

Unveiling the Fox News-Trump Administration Nexus

Brian Tyler Cohen initiates the discussion by criticizing Fox News personalities, particularly Laura Ingraham, highlighting her brother Curtis Ingraham's troubling upbringing:

"My father was a Nazi sympathizer. There was a copy of Mein Kampf on the living room bookshelf. He was abusive, he was an alcoholic. So we are in a family of anger."
(00:30)

Cohen juxtaposes this background with Laura Ingraham's current rhetoric, accusing her of exhibiting "state regime, North Korea style behavior" and uncritically supporting Donald Trump despite declining polls. He plays a clip where Ingraham praises Trump:

"Happy Trump is best Trump and he's having a great time. He doesn't care about these stupid polls. He's fighting stupid polls."
(01:41)

This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the symbiotic relationship between Fox News and the Trump administration.

Matthew Gertz Presents Media Matters’ Findings

Inviting Matt Gertz to the conversation, the hosts seek to unpack his recent study on the intertwining of Fox News and the Trump administration. Gertz elaborates on Media Matters' comprehensive analysis:

"We looked at all the people in the Trump administration and how they are a constant presence on Fox News and its sister network, Fox Business. We tracked over the first hundred days of the Trump administration—something like 536 appearances of high-ranking Trump administration officials on those networks."
(03:42)

He reveals that 22 individuals within the Trump administration had prior affiliations with Fox News, including prominent figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a former Fox and Friends weekend host. Gertz emphasizes the fusion between the administration and Fox, stating:

"They've effectively merged. They've effectively become the same thing. It's very difficult to tell where the administration ends and the network picks up."
(04:15)

Implications of a Merged Media-Administration Entity

Brian Tyler Cohen labels Fox News as a "state regime media," drawing parallels with authoritarian regimes such as Russia and North Korea. He expresses alarm over the broadcaster's role in amplifying the administration's agenda, highlighting the distraction of media personalities from substantive policy work. Cohen illustrates this with another clip of Ingraham advocating for harsh immigration policies:

"You better self deport now and not return, or you could be on the next flight to El Salvador."
(08:53)

He critiques the normalization of authoritarian rhetoric, arguing that debates on due process are being trivialized on Fox News, leading the audience to accept abuses of power as standard practice.

Media Matters’ Strategy to Counteract Propaganda

When asked about Media Matters' approach to combating media bias, Gertz outlines their proactive strategies:

"We spend a great deal of time not only focused on Fox News but in the deepest, darkest parts of the Internet, the streaming universe, and so on and so forth. What that means is we have a mobile, more granular understanding of where these attacks are coming from and where they're going."
(10:28)

He emphasizes the importance of disseminating accurate information:

"We can tell, well before it becomes a national story, that something like critical race theory is going to break through. What I think we need is more people to sort of pick up that ammunition and run with it."
(10:10)

Gertz criticizes the mainstream press for their perceived incompetence in addressing these issues, advocating for independent media to take up the mantle of informing the public.

Real-World Consequences of Media Influence

Cohen provides a tangible example of Fox News' influence by referencing a recent Republican hearing on USA Fencing, which was heavily predicated on a Fox-broadcasted story about a transgender fencer. The hearing revealed that USA Fencing does not receive federal funding, undermining the legitimacy of the issue propagated by Fox. He emphasizes how Media Matters' reports expose the manipulation of public discourse by major media outlets.

Broader Concerns and Future Challenges

Before concluding, Gertz highlights additional areas of concern that require more public attention:

"I always want more attention on the Medicaid cuts that the Republicans are brewing up. It's unclear exactly how they're gonna try to take healthcare away from millions of people, but they're gonna try to do it."
(12:43)

He warns of imminent threats to healthcare access, linking them to the administration's pursuit of tax cuts for the wealthy, which often comes at the expense of essential public services.

Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

As the episode nears its end, Cohen underscores the critical role of organizations like Media Matters in safeguarding democracy:

"We need independent media to step up and let the public know what's going on when the mainstream press can't do it."
(10:28)

He commends Media Matters for their diligent efforts in exposing media biases and encourages continued collaboration to inform and protect the public from propaganda-driven narratives.

Key Takeaways:

• Media Alignment with Politics: Media outlets like Fox News have developed a close-knit relationship with political administrations, blurring the lines between journalism and political propaganda.

• Propaganda and Public Perception: The consistent promotion of specific political agendas by media personalities can significantly shape public opinion and discourse.

• The Role of Independent Media: Organizations like Media Matters play a crucial role in monitoring, exposing, and countering media biases to ensure a well-informed public.

• Future Threats to Democracy: Ongoing efforts to undermine public services and manipulate information pose serious threats to the fabric of American democracy.

This episode serves as a crucial exposé on the dangers of media consolidation with political power and the vital importance of vigilant, independent oversight to maintain democratic integrity.