Fox News Bends Over Backwards to Credit Trump for Strong Economy

After reporting that the stock market is once again experiencing record-breaking highs (under President Biden), Donald Trump supporter Larry Kudlow insinuated to anchor Sandra Smith that the ex-president may deserve credit instead.

Both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 finished Friday at record highs. 

As is often the case, Fox News struggles to report positive economic news when it occurs under a Democratic administration, let alone give attribution to the president—a problem they don’t have when a Republican is in office.

As Sandra Smith conveyed the development without mentioning President Biden, the MAGA-sympathizing Larry Kudlow regurgitated a Trump talking point. 

“Um… on the other hand, Donald Trump has said several times the last few days that the stock market’s rallying because it’s anticipating he will return to the presidency,” Kudlow said.

“Oooh!” a seemingly intrigued Smith replied. 

“I’m not—I’m not—I’m not saying that analytically,” Kudlow said. “That is his view. My experience with Mr. Trump in the years that I worked for him: he’s a very good investor. He knows how things work. So you can take it for what it’s worth, okay?”

Kudlow and Smith shared a chuckle. 

This is commensurate with Fox News’ strange but predictable gerrymandering of credit and blame for Democrats and Republicans. 

The rule for years on Fox has been that Republicans get credit for a strong economy on their watch but none of the blame when the economy suffers. The same rule dictates the opposite for Democrats.

Kudlow and Smith seem to suggest an addendum to the rule: when the economy is strong under Democrats, Republicans get the credit for that too.

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