As tensions between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk escalated on Thursday, the dynamic landscape of US politics witnessed a notable fracture. The two influential figures exchanged jabs and personal insults across their social media platforms, marking a significant rift in what had previously been viewed as a formidable alliance.
Fox News, the preeminent cable news network widely recognized for championing the Make America Great Again agenda, found itself in a delicate position amid this fallout. Throughout the day, its opinion hosts grappled with the implications of the feud, often appearing torn between their loyalty to both men. Some personalities openly voiced hopes for reconciliation, reflecting a palpable sense of unease among Trump’s media allies.
Will Cain expressed disappointment, noting that the feud was “not a story that we wanted today for America.” Greg Gutfeld urged both Trump and Musk to “knock it off” and reconcile, cautioning against “sabotaging” what he referred to as a “Golden Age” for Trump.
Laura Ingraham, a long-time Trump supporter, called Musk a “modern-day Thomas Edison” and implored him to recognize that “Trump is not the problem here.” With a heavy heart, she disclosed, “it makes me sad,” and mentioned speaking with a source who believed the rift was “irreparable.”
In contrast, some Fox News personalities attempted to downplay the feud’s significance. Sean Hannity reassured viewers, stating, “Big deal. They’ll work it out eventually; they’ll become friends again.” Lawrence Jones, co-host of “Fox & Friends,” echoed this sentiment, asserting, “There is no split… They’re going to bury the hatchet,” attributing their quarrel to what he described as a clash between “two strong alpha males.”
Primetime anchor Jesse Watters took a lighter approach, suggesting that the spat was merely a way for Trump and Musk to “blow off steam,” comparing it to a familiar love triangle dynamic. Ainsley Earhardt, also from “Fox & Friends,” chimed in with a similar analogy, likening their situation to the ups and downs often found in relationships.
Interestingly, the network did not shy away from discussing Musk’s claims regarding Trump’s alleged connection to the controversial Epstein files — a topic that has long been a subject of conspiracy theories on the right. Watters asserted, “If Trump was in them, Biden probably would have released them,” while Hannity defended Trump as one of the first to recognize Epstein’s troubling nature. Brian Kilmeade, while condemning the notion that Trump was involved with Epstein, also took care to commend Musk’s contributions during the Trump administration.
Remarkably, none of Fox’s MAGA-aligned hosts outright aligned with either figure. Instead, they seem to believe this is merely a temporary misunderstanding in a “big, beautiful friendship.” As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen where loyalties will ultimately lie, though an inclination towards Trump appears to be the safe bet.