Melissa Joskow / Media Matters

As the U.S. Senate prepares to act on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, Fox hosts with close ties to President Donald Trump are explicitly urging their conservative audience to contact senators and urge them to vote to confirm the nominee.

On Thursday night, Lou Dobbs wrapped up his show by telling his viewers, “Let me say it this way: Call your senator; tell him to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to sit on the court.”

Last night Lou Dobbs urged his audience to call their senators and tell them to support Brett Kavanaugh pic.twitter.com/t1NtNIOBWX

— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 5, 2018

The night before, Sean Hannity said that Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) are “the people who will decide the fate of Judge Kavanaugh” and urged his viewers to call their offices. He added that if the senators oppose Kavanaugh, “you can vote them out.”

Hannity on Wednesday: “Look at your screen.” [image of swing senators] “You want to call these people? Feel free to do so. Call their office, call the hotline, call the main line.” pic.twitter.com/wUHdWqjiyp

— Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 5, 2018

In recent weeks, Fox has become a clearinghouse for right-wing smears and conspiracy theories about the women who reported sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh, as well as absurd defenses of the nominee and apocalyptic claims about what will happen if he is not confirmed.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has scheduled a procedural vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination for Friday morning. It is unclear whether Kavanaugh has the votes for confirmation.