Jeanine Pirro’s absence from “The Five” on Thursday was a tell. Minutes after the Fox News show wrapped, President Trump confirmed that Pirro will become the interim US attorney in Washington, DC, one of the top prosecutor jobs in the country. Don’t tune into “The Five” expecting a Pirro send-off show; her exit was effective immediately, according to a Fox spokesperson. This means that one of the most coveted seats in right-wing media is suddenly up for grabs. “The Five” often ranks as the top-rated show across all of cable news and is a proven launchpad for MAGA media superstardom. It is also an important plank of Fox’s profits since the high ratings for the 5pm talk show help propel viewership for the rest of the evening. Fox News says it will rely on a rotation of Fox personalities to fill the seat until a new co-host is named. Numerous Fox hosts and contributors have filled in for Pirro in the past, including Katie Pavlich, Kayleigh McEnany and Kellyanne Conway. Fox contributor Joey Jones sat in Pirro’s usual seat on Thursday. Of all the Fox figures Trump has tapped to fill out his administration this year — by one count, he’s approaching two dozen — Pirro is one of the most bellicose. Trump and Pirro have had a friendly relationship for decades. (She was hanging out at Mar-a-Lago long before Trump even ran for president.) One of her books, titled “Don’t Lie to Me,” was even dedicated to Trump. Pirro’s staunch defense of Trump and derision of his critics made her a favorite of the network’s Trump-aligned fan base. And Trump was a regular (and fawning) guest when Pirro hosted a weekend evening show called “Justice with Judge Jeanine.” In 2020, however, her Trump loyalty wound up angering her bosses and wounding Fox’s parent company when she promoted his voter fraud lies. Pirro’s name came up repeatedly in Dominion Voting Systems’ blockbuster lawsuit against Fox News. Documents obtained by Dominion during the legal battle showed that her own executive producer, Jerry Andrews, wrote to a colleague in 2020 that one of Pirro’s proposed monologues was “rife with conspiracy theories and BS and is yet another example why this woman should never be on live television.” During one internal argument over Pirro’s conspiratorial pro-Trump commentary, Andrews called her a “reckless maniac.” In 2022, she was moved onto “The Five.” Pirro’s Fox persona has been ripe for “SNL” impersonation over the years. Her Fox colleagues truly respect her, though, specifically for her legal background, including her time as DA of Westchester County, New York. While her law-enforcement work ended 20 years ago, she is recognized as a trailblazer and still brings a lawyerly mindset to TV segments, Fox staffers said. In a statement on Thursday, the network said, “Jeanine Pirro has been a wonderful addition to The Five over the last three years and a longtime beloved host across FOX News Media who contributed greatly to our success throughout her 14-year tenure. We wish her all the best in her new role in Washington.” Pirro is replacing archconservative activist Ed Martin, whose conduct in the US attorney job was so aberrant that even some Republican lawmakers spoke out against him. Fox News has barely covered any of the many Martin controversies, so Pirro’s viewers may be unfamiliar with the reasons why she is, as The New York Times put it, ditching “a lucrative TV career, on short notice,” to bail Trump out of “an embarrassing jam.” But her willingness to do so is certainly not surprising. “We should respect her experience” as a former elected official and prosecutor, CNN legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Elliot Williams said on “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” Thursday night. However, he continued, “if you look at the 20 years since then, she has demonstrated a willingness to step out for the President of the United States in a role” — U.S. attorney for the nation’s capital — “that really ought to be independent of the White House.” “We have to remember, these are very important management roles,” Williams said. “This is the biggest U.S. Attorney’s Office in the country.” He said Trump picking Pirro is “quite frankly, an affront to the office.”
Trump’s latest Fox News hire leaves a giant hole in the network’s biggest show
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Jeanine Pirro Departs Fox News to Become Interim U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C."
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
Jeanine Pirro's sudden departure from Fox News' popular show "The Five" marks a significant shift in the network's programming landscape. Her exit was confirmed shortly after the show aired, with President Trump announcing that she will step into the role of interim US attorney for Washington, DC. This position is one of the most prestigious prosecutor roles in the country, and Pirro's immediate departure leaves a prominent vacancy on a show that consistently ranks as one of the highest-rated across cable news. Fox News has stated that it will temporarily fill her spot with various personalities from the network until a permanent replacement is chosen. Historically, Pirro has been a key figure on the show, and her absence is expected to be felt deeply among both viewers and her colleagues. Notably, Pirro's relationship with Trump has been longstanding and close, as she has been a fervent supporter of his presidency and policies, often appearing alongside him in various capacities on the network.
Throughout her tenure at Fox News, Pirro has been both praised and criticized for her outspoken views, particularly regarding Trump and his political opponents. Her departure comes amid scrutiny from within the network, especially after her promotion of unfounded claims about voter fraud in 2020, which led to internal conflicts over her commentary style. Despite these challenges, Pirro is recognized for her legal expertise, having previously served as the district attorney of Westchester County, New York. As she transitions to her new role, analysts have expressed concern about the implications of her appointment, suggesting that it may undermine the independence expected of a U.S. attorney. Commentators have noted that this move reflects Trump’s ongoing influence in shaping key governmental positions, raising questions about the integrity of the office Pirro is set to lead. Her new role follows the controversial tenure of Ed Martin, and while her supporters commend her experience, critics argue that her appointment could be seen as a politicization of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which traditionally operates independently of the White House.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant change at Fox News following the announcement of Jeanine Pirro's appointment as the interim US attorney in Washington, DC. Her sudden departure from "The Five," one of Fox's highest-rated shows, raises questions about the implications for the network and its audience, particularly in the context of its relationship with former President Trump.
Media Landscape Impact
With Pirro's exit, a coveted spot in right-wing media becomes available, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the show and influencing its viewership. "The Five" plays a crucial role in Fox's ratings strategy, and changes in its lineup could affect the overall profitability of the network. This shift may also signal a broader trend in how Fox News manages its personalities in relation to political appointments and loyalty to Trump.
Audience Perception
The article suggests that Pirro's strong alignment with Trump and her controversial views have resonated with a specific segment of Fox's audience. Her absence might create uncertainty among viewers who appreciated her defense of Trump and her combative stance against critics. The lack of a formal send-off indicates that Fox may want to minimize any potential backlash or sentimentality about her departure.
Potential Distractions
While the article focuses on Pirro's exit, it may also serve as a distraction from ongoing legal challenges facing Fox News, particularly related to the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit. By shifting the narrative towards personnel changes, the article might be attempting to divert attention from more significant issues that could impact the network's reputation and financial standing.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article hints at a manipulation of public sentiment. By emphasizing Pirro's loyalty to Trump and her controversial past, it creates a narrative that aligns with the fears and concerns of right-wing audiences. This framing could influence how readers perceive the changes at Fox News and their implications for Trump’s influence in media.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The article presents factual information regarding Pirro's departure and the context of her role at Fox News. However, the potential biases in the framing and the implications drawn may reduce its overall reliability as an objective news source. Readers should be cautious of how the narrative shapes their understanding of the broader implications of such personnel changes.
In summary, the article serves to inform the audience about a notable shift in Fox News but may also contain underlying agendas aimed at shaping public perception and diverting attention from critical issues facing the network.