In a surprising twist, former President Donald Trump called into Fox News's Gutfeld show after the network abruptly cut away from his live reaction to Vice President Kamala Harris's convention acceptance speech.
Trump's unexpected call to program host Greg Gutfeld created a series of interactions that left viewers talking, as the Daily Caller reports.
The former president, who is the Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, had been on a phone call with Fox News hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum late Thursday night. He was responding to Harris's speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which had aired earlier in the evening. However, before 11:30 p.m., the network cut away from the discussion to begin Gutfeld, its late-night talk show hosted by Greg Gutfeld.
Gutfeld, known for his comedic take on current events, addressed the situation live on air, joking that the decision to cut away from Trump was not his choice. "That wasn’t my fault, Donald Trump! He’s still talking, by the way," Gutfeld quipped as the show began, acknowledging the unusual circumstances of the network's decision.
Later in the show, during a commercial break, Trump called into Gutfeld and continued the conversation that had been interrupted. The interaction between the former president and the host was both lighthearted and pointed, with Trump making a comment that caused Gutfeld to laugh. "I think we got a lot more money," Trump said, referring to the network's decision to cut him off earlier.
Gutfeld, in turn, asked Trump to greet his live audience, leading to a continuation of their back-and-forth exchange. Trump took the opportunity to discuss his lead in the polls and his perspective on the Democratic Party's actions, particularly Harris's rise as the party's presidential candidate.
Trump did not hold back in his criticism of Harris, both during his phone call and in subsequent posts on Truth Social, the social media platform he frequently uses. Harris, who became the Democratic Party's presidential candidate on July 21 after President Joe Biden dropped out, was the target of Trump's remarks following her DNC speech. Reports have suggested that top Democrats pressured Biden to step aside after a poor debate performance against Trump in late June.
The conversation between Trump and Gutfeld eventually came to a close, with the host having to move on with the show. "Alright, Mr. President," Gutfeld said as he wrapped up the call, adding that he needed to continue with the program. Trump wished Gutfeld well before the show moved on to its next segment.
Trump's call into Gutfeld was an unexpected moment in late-night television, highlighting the former president's continued influence on the media landscape. The exchange between Trump and Gutfeld was notable for its mix of humor and political commentary, a combination that has become a hallmark of the show.
Trump's comments during the call, as well as his posts on Truth Social, underscore his ongoing criticism of the Democratic Party and its leaders. His remarks about Harris, in particular, reflect his view of the party's current trajectory as he continues his campaign for the presidency in 2024.
The interaction between Trump and Gutfeld also raises questions about the role of media in covering political figures, particularly in the context of live television. The decision to cut away from Trump's initial conversation with Baier and MacCallum to begin Gutfeld highlights the balancing act that networks must perform between news coverage and entertainment programming.
As Trump continues his campaign, his appearances on media platforms like Fox News are likely to remain a focal point of both his strategy and the broader political discourse. His ability to command attention, even in moments when he is unexpectedly cut off, demonstrates his ongoing relevance in the political arena.
Trump's call to Gutfeld, along with his posts on Truth Social, reflects his willingness to engage directly with the media and his supporters, even in unconventional ways. The former president's ability to pivot quickly and capitalize on unexpected moments is a key part of his political brand and will assuredly remain so for the rest of the campaign season.
