Fox News Faces Mounting Scrutiny Amid Controversies, Legal Challenges, and Viral Moments
Fox News is under intense public and legal scrutiny following a series of high-profile controversies and developments that have dominated headlines in recent weeks.
A recent NBC News report revealed the White House is considering granting Fox News security clearance to access classified information, a move raising questions about transparency and the role of media in handling sensitive government data. The potential clearance has sparked debate over the network’s influence and responsibilities as a major news outlet.
In a viral segment on "Fox & Friends," a former high school English teacher announced her resignation, blaming the rise of AI tools for declining student motivation and literacy. She called for urgent educational reforms to restrict technology use in classrooms, igniting a wider discussion about the impact of digital tools on education.
Fox News contributor Andrew McCarthy added to the controversy by labeling alleged classified messages within the Trump administration as “undeniable” evidence, further fueling political debate.
The network also faced backlash after comedian Tyler Fischer was banned from the show "Gutfeld!" following accusations of harassing female staff. Fischer defended his actions, claiming he was only asking a colleague out for coffee, but the incident has intensified scrutiny of workplace culture at Fox News.
Legal challenges continue to dog the network. A defamation lawsuit from voting machine company Smartmatic alleges that Fox News senior executives, including Rupert Murdoch, intentionally destroyed evidence related to their 2020 election coverage. This follows a history of lawsuits against the network for promoting false claims about election fraud, including a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023.
On the political front, Fox News drew attention to California Governor Gavin Newsom retracting an advertisement after it was discovered to contain footage from Ukraine and Estonia, mistakenly presented as scenes from California. The network also covered a viral moment featuring former President Donald Trump walking with Elon Musk’s son, X Æ A-12, highlighting Fox’s ongoing role in shaping political and cultural narratives.
Despite these controversies, Fox News ratings surged in May 2025, with a 23% increase in primetime viewership, averaging 2.46 million viewers. The network’s ability to drive national conversation remains strong, even as it faces mounting criticism and legal scrutiny over its coverage and internal practices.