President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Fox News host Jessica Tarlov via Truth Social on Friday, June 20, 2025, following her discussion of negative polling data on “The Five.”
Trump criticized Tarlov’s voice, manner, and commentary, claiming she was “soiling” the network’s evening broadcast. The President expressed frustration that Tarlov was presenting polling numbers that contradicted his own assessment of his popularity ratings.
The attack came after Tarlov cited polling data showing Trump struggling with independent voters and key issues during Friday’s broadcast. She referenced a Fox News poll indicating 40 percent of registered voters favored Trump’s economic management, while 58 percent disapproved.
Trump countered by pointing to what he described as more favorable polling numbers, including a Rasmussen Poll at 56 percent and Insider Advantage at 54 percent. He maintained that he was beating Democrats by more than 15 points and referenced his 2024 election victory across all seven swing states.
The President specifically defended Fox News hosts Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, describing them as terrific but noting they don’t see all the poll numbers and therefore cannot come to his defense. He accused Tarlov of lying repeatedly and claimed MAGA supporters were complaining about her frequent appearances on the network.
Trump’s criticism extended to immigration policy, where he claimed zero undocumented immigrants entered the country in the previous month under his administration, contrasting this with 62,000 people he said entered under former President Joe Biden, allegedly including individuals from prisons, mental institutions, and gangs.
The President concluded his Truth Social post by stating that personalities like Tarlov make his supporters “absolutely hate Fox.”
This latest outburst followed Trump’s Thursday morning criticism of Fox News’ polling methodology after a new poll showed Americans split on his immigration policy. The Wednesday poll revealed Trump with a 46 percent overall approval rating and 54 percent disapproval.
The polling data showed Trump’s strongest numbers on border security at 53 percent approval and 46 percent disapproval. However, his immigration numbers were lower at 46 percent approval and 53 percent disapproval. His weakest performance was on inflation, with 64 percent disapproving and only 34 percent approving of his handling of the economic issue.
During her Friday appearance on “The Five,” Tarlov had acknowledged that while Democrats remained unpopular, polling trends were moving against Trump. She indicated that directionally, the numbers were not favorable for the President, though she noted Trump might still win if an election were held again.
Trump’s relationship with Fox News has been increasingly strained over polling coverage. He has repeatedly criticized the network’s polling company as incompetent and biased, claiming they consistently underestimate his support among voters.
Tarlov serves as the liberal voice on “The Five,” providing Democratic perspectives alongside the show’s conservative hosts. She has a background in polling and political strategy, regularly challenging Trump’s policies and claims on the program.
The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and media outlets that provide coverage he considers unfavorable. Previous incidents have shown Trump’s sensitivity to negative polling data and critical coverage, particularly from networks he expects to support his agenda.
Recent polling from various organizations has shown mixed results for Trump’s approval ratings across different policy areas. While some polls favorable to Trump show higher approval numbers, mainstream polling has indicated challenges with key voter demographics and policy issues.
The exchange also reflects broader dynamics within conservative media, where hosts and commentators navigate between supporting Trump’s agenda and maintaining journalistic credibility. Tarlov’s role as the sole liberal voice on the panel often puts her at odds with both her co-hosts and the network’s predominantly conservative audience.
Trump’s criticism of individual media personalities has become a recurring pattern throughout his political career. His targeted attacks on specific journalists and commentators often generate significant attention and can influence public perception of both the personalities and their networks.
The timing of Trump’s attack, coming on a Friday evening, suggests a strategic effort to dominate weekend news cycles and potentially influence Fox News’ programming decisions regarding Tarlov’s future appearances on the network.
