Fox’s Early Trump Call Highlights Network’s Comeback Story

Fox’s Early Trump Call Highlights Network’s Comeback Story \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Fox News showcased a major recovery this election cycle by calling Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris significantly earlier than most major networks, breaking away from the controversy that haunted its 2020 Arizona call. NewsNation and Newsmax were the first to declare Trump’s win, illustrating the competitive dynamics within conservative media. The reception among Fox’s audience was far more favorable this time, cementing its position as the leader of election night coverage.

Fox News Election Call Quick Looks:

• Fox declared Trump’s 2024 election win hours ahead of ABC, CBS, CNN, and NBC.
• In stark contrast to 2020, the call drew applause from Trump supporters.
• NewsNation, with Decision Desk HQ’s data, announced Trump’s win at 1:22 a.m.
• Fox made its official call at 1:47 a.m., earlier than most mainstream media.
• AP and major networks confirmed Trump’s win around 5:34 a.m. after securing Wisconsin.
• Chris Stirewalt, now at NewsNation, reflected on the irony of early calls.
• Fox’s decision desk, led by Arnon Mishkin, maintained high regard despite 2020’s backlash.
• Fox News led the ratings with 9.7 million prime-time viewers, well above competitors.
• CEO Suzanne Scott praised the team’s commitment to unbiased reporting.
• Trump’s complex relationship with Fox continued to underscore its significant influence.

Deep Look:

In 2024, Fox News marked a dramatic recovery in election night coverage, calling Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris nearly four hours ahead of established media outlets like ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, and the Associated Press. This year’s decisive moment stands in stark contrast to the contentious early call Fox made in 2020 when it declared Arizona for Joe Biden. That decision, although accurate, sparked a storm of anger from then-President Trump, alienated parts of Fox’s core audience, and led to an intense internal review. The fallout was severe: it cost the network credibility among its viewers and culminated in a massive $787 million defamation settlement with Dominion Voting Systems over false election fraud claims.

Fox’s 2024 announcement of Trump’s win came at 1:47 a.m., significantly earlier than its mainstream counterparts. This decision, unlike in 2020, was met with cheers at Trump’s West Palm Beach celebration, illustrating how public sentiment can shift based on the outcome and manner of reporting. Notably, the first calls were made by NewsNation, which declared Trump victorious at 1:22 a.m. using data from Decision Desk HQ. Scripps Networks and Newsmax, also using DDHQ data, followed shortly thereafter. Fox’s Bret Baier indicated on-air that Harris had no viable path to victory, setting the stage for the network’s official call minutes later.

The Associated Press and other major news organizations waited until 5:34 a.m. to declare Trump the winner, justifying their delay by confirming that Harris’s deficit in Wisconsin could not be bridged by the remaining uncounted votes. This year’s smooth execution was a moment of validation for Chris Stirewalt, who served as Fox News’ politics editor during the 2020 election and faced backlash over the Arizona decision. Now at NewsNation, Stirewalt reflected on how data-driven, early calls embody journalistic integrity, even when they provoke criticism.

Arnon Mishkin, the respected leader of Fox’s decision desk, continued to command industry respect, illustrating that, despite past controversies, Fox could still deliver reliable, prompt electoral insights. Stirewalt praised Mishkin as “superb” and credited Fox for retaining him despite internal fallout that saw others, including Stirewalt and Bill Sammon, leave the network. This continuity in leadership at Fox helped rebuild its reputation and reinforced its status as a powerhouse in news analysis.

Meanwhile, Fox’s enduring role as the top conservative news source was underscored by Nielsen ratings, showing that the network drew an impressive 9.7 million prime-time viewers on election night. This performance outstripped ABC News, which attracted 5.7 million viewers, and dwarfed the numbers for challengers like Newsmax, which garnered 947,000, and NewsNation, which drew 237,000. Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, expressed her pride in the network’s team, emphasizing their ability to deliver quality analysis to a diverse, politically varied audience.

Fox News’ evolution from the fallout of 2020 to this year’s stronger position is emblematic of its strategic recalibrations. The Arizona call not only sparked public outcry but also internal reevaluation, driving shifts in reporting approaches and decision-making processes. Despite these controversies, the decision to keep Mishkin at the helm of the decision desk proved critical for maintaining analytical excellence. By demonstrating a clear commitment to timely and fact-based calls, Fox regained a measure of the trust it had lost and showcased a more balanced approach to election night coverage.

The election of 2024 also spotlighted the competition within conservative media. NewsNation and Newsmax’s early declarations highlighted how new players are seeking to carve out their space. Despite these challenges, Fox’s overwhelming viewership showed it still commands unparalleled reach. Trump’s frequent appearances on shows like “Fox & Friends” during his campaign and his ability to leverage social media to express displeasure when necessary further underline Fox’s significance in shaping conservative discourse.

Trump’s relationship with Fox News remains multifaceted. While he benefits from its coverage and platform, he has also openly criticized it when its reporting has not aligned with his views. This dynamic, characterized by both reliance and tension, underscores Fox’s powerful yet complex position in today’s media landscape — strong enough to shape narratives, but subject to scrutiny from even its most influential subjects.

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