The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Episode: Jane Mayer on the Revolving Door Between Fox News and the White House

Host: David Remnick
Guest: Jane Mayer, New Yorker Staff Writer
Date: March 11, 2019

Episode Overview

This episode delves deeply into the intricate and mutually beneficial relationship between Fox News and President Donald Trump’s White House. Host David Remnick interviews Jane Mayer, who discusses her recent investigative reporting on how Fox News evolved from a right-leaning media outlet into what she characterizes as a “quasi-state television” channel for the Trump administration. The discussion unpacks the extensive personal and professional ties connecting Fox News personalities, executives, and staff with both the President and his inner circle, and explores the broader implications for American democracy and the future of both institutions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Fox News and the Trump White House

• Coordination Over Coverage

  • Fox News, particularly its opinion programming, has become an overtly pro-Trump platform.
  • “The president trusts Hannity and others on the Fox News evening lineup more than he trusts his own advisors, it seems.” — David Remnick [03:03]
  • Jane Mayer describes the relationship as a daily, coordinated feedback loop:
    • “The most prominent and well paid and highest rated opinion host on Fox is Sean Hannity. And he’s on the phone virtually every night after his show...so they coordinate.” [04:41]

• Historical Comparison

  • Remnick notes previous cozy relationships between media figures and presidents (e.g., Ben Bradlee and JFK, Walter Lippmann’s advisory role), but Mayer emphasizes the novelty of Fox’s daily coordination and exclusion of critical press:
    • “This is like a daily operation...carrying his message without any mediation a lot of the time. And so it’s become an arm of the White House. That’s what’s really different.” — Jane Mayer [06:35]

The Evolution of Trump and Murdoch/Fox

• The relationship between Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump was not always smooth.
  • “Murdoch considered Donald Trump a sleazy businessman.” — David Remnick [08:00]
  • Initially, Murdoch and his outlets (notably the Wall Street Journal) were critical of Trump. But over time, business and audience interests led to alignment:
    • “They are minting money by whipping up fear.” — Jane Mayer quoting Greta Van Susteren [08:57]

The Bill Shine and Sean Hannity Connection

• Bill Shine, former Fox News executive, became White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director thanks largely to Sean Hannity’s advocacy.
  • “Sean Hannity introduced him [Shine] to President Trump, arranged a private dinner and pushed very hard to get him into the White House.” — Jane Mayer [12:51]
  • The Washington Post refers to Hannity as "the shadow chief of staff." [13:46]
  • Hannity’s motivations: “Spectacular ratings, tremendous pay package, huge power, the thrill of pushing the country in the direction he wants to take it.” — Jane Mayer [13:56]

Fox News as the President’s Information Filter

• Trump often prioritizes information from Fox over official channels:
  • “If you want to try to reach President Trump, the best thing to do is get on Fox News.” — Jane Mayer [14:31]
  • A Republican senator goes on Fox to convey messages to Trump, who frequently calls them immediately after the appearance. [14:48]

Editorial Intervention and Suppression of News

• Fox News suppressed a key story on the Stormy Daniels scandal prior to the election.
  • “She [Diana Falzone, Fox reporter] had it called. She did her homework...Fox is culpable here. They killed that story to get Trump elected.” — Nick Ritchie [18:13]
  • Jane Mayer notes: “According to Diana Falzone...Ken LaCourt’s answer was ‘good reporting, kiddo. But...Rupert Murdoch wants Donald Trump to win, so just set it aside.’” [17:00]

Use of Executive Power: The AT&T–Time Warner/CNN Deal

• Trump directly intervened to block a merger that would have benefited CNN, seen as a Murdoch rival.
  • “Trump is just really exasperated…‘I’ve told him 50 times to block that deal.’” — Jane Mayer recounting the Oval Office scene [19:34]
  • This action aligned with Rupert Murdoch’s business interests, as Murdoch had previously bid for Time Warner. [20:49]
  • Implication: Use of state power for personal and allied media advantage.

Broader Implications for Democracy

• The business and political models of both Trump and Fox News revolve around mobilizing and inflaming a narrow, passionate base, rather than broad coalition-building.
  • “That model requires them to whip people up into a state of upset fear...It may make tons of money for Fox and may help Trump get reelected, but it’s not the usual model…so it can be a very detrimental model to the rest of the country.” — Jane Mayer [21:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There is endless amounts of coordination between Fox News and the Trump White House...I've never seen [message coordination] in other White Houses.” — Jane Mayer [04:05]
• “The single largest cable television network in America...is reaching Trump’s base every night. This is a daily operation...it’s become an arm of the White House.” — Jane Mayer [06:35]
• “Sean Hannity...might as well have a desk in the White House. He virtually does.” — David Remnick quoting the Washington Post [13:46]
• “A number of [Trump’s advisers] suggested if you want to try to reach President Trump, the best thing to do is get on Fox News.” — Jane Mayer [14:31]
• “Rupert Murdoch wants Donald Trump to win, so just set it aside.” — Ken LaCourt (recounted by Diana Falzone, reported by Jane Mayer) on pulling the Stormy Daniels story [17:00]
• “What interested me a lot is both President Trump and Fox News have a model...by driving up fear in a narrow base...but what it means for the rest of us...is worrisome.” — Jane Mayer [21:34]

Major Segments & Timestamps

• [01:32] — Podcast introduction and setup of Fox–White House ties
• [02:00] — Hannity’s rally appearance and unprecedented network loyalty
• [03:11] — Comparison to state television; Fox opinion hosts dominating message
• [04:41] — Details of message coordination, the "feedback loop"
• [06:02] — Historical media–president relationships vs. Fox/Trump daily dynamic
• [07:21] — Murdoch and Trump’s rocky personal history and evolution
• [09:29] — The Bill Shine saga: Fox executive to White House
• [11:28] — Sexual harassment cover-ups, Shine/Ailes dynamic
• [12:42] — Shine’s White House appointment, Hannity’s influence
• [13:54] — Hannity’s power and “shadow chief of staff” role
• [14:15] — Trump’s news sourcing from Fox rather than official briefings
• [16:24] — The Stormy Daniels story suppression at Fox
• [19:00] — DOJ intervention in AT&T–Time Warner/CNN deal at Trump’s behest
• [21:15] — Media, power, business models, and threats to democracy
• [22:59] — The Murdoch family’s plans and the possible future of Fox
• [24:03] — Fox News’s role in Trump’s campaign and political risks
• [24:56] — Closing remarks and episode wrap-up

Conclusion

This episode provides a compelling, behind-the-scenes look at the entwined personal, business, and political interests connecting Fox News and the Trump White House. Jane Mayer’s reporting and insights reveal a shift from conventional media–political relationships to a new paradigm defined by constant coordination, audience base mobilization, and the leveraging of media for both political power and profit. The episode ends by raising questions about the sustainability of this model, its implications for democracy, and what the future may hold for both Fox News and American politics.