Fox News Plays Defense For Trump By Ignoring Michelle Obama’s Powerful Speech

CNN and MSNBC aired a powerful speech from first lady Michelle Obama condemning Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's “painful,” “demeaning” attacks on women, which include allegations of sexual assault and video evidence that he “has bragged about sexually assaulting women.” But Fox News completely ignored the appearance, instead playing interference for Trump by discussing political strategy with Trump ally and Fox contributor Newt Gingrich.

On October 13, Michelle Obama torched Trump for his verbal attacks on women and for the allegations that Trump sexually assaulted several women, calling his “sexually predatory behavior” not “something that we can ignore.” The first lady said Trump's alleged behavior has “shaken me to my core in a way that I couldn't have predicted.”

Both CNN and MSNBC aired the full, heartrending remarks.

On Fox News -- an outlet that has called into question the legitimacy of Trump's accusers, has an ugly history of sexual harassment in its own building, and has long worked to discredit and victim-blame sexual assault survivors -- the appearance went unaired. Instead, the network aired a discussion with Trump ally Newt Gingrich, who offered his advice for Trump to handle the fallout from the sexual assault allegations.

Fox has a pattern of ignoring appearances that cut against its own narrative, including several of the speeches made during the Democratic National Convention.