Bret Baier explains what he meant by ‘spin’ after Fox News awkward clip goes viral
Fox News and journalist Bret Baier have spoken out to clarify what the latter meant in a now-infamous clip where he was accused of trying to 'spin' the Republican Party's midterm loss into a positive. The network provided comprehensive election night coverage, while the world watched in real time as the Grand Old Party lost control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
President Donald Trump has been on a rampage since what's been dubbed the worst loss for his party since the post-Watergate midterms of 1974, but as for Fox News, Baier went viral over an on-air comment some referred to as a hot mic moment.
What was Bret Baier's 'spin' comment?
Election night at Fox News saw Garrett Tenney hand back to Baier and Martha MacCallum in the studio after discussing how many yard signs in the newly Democrat-controlled Michigan appeared to be supporting Abdul El-Sayed.
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Media critic Aaron Rupar shared a clip of Baier saying: "Can we do a spin on the races that..."
As we went back to the studio, Baier added: "Oh, I'm sorry, Garrett. I guess we're on TV now."
Rupar and others in the replies appeared to suggest that Baier was trying to paint the Republican Party's loss in a more positive way, but both Fox News and Baier himself have tried to clear things up.
A Fox News spokesperson reached out to UNILADTech, reiterating that the 'spin' comment was one Baier used earlier in the evening, while Baier posted on X saying: "That was to Bill Hemmer. A spin on the board with Bill to see the various races that were outstanding. Thanks."
Rupar himself replied to his original post to state: "Fox reached out to me in response to this tweet 👆and clarified that by 'spin,' what Bret Baier was referring to was taking a spin on their big board of race calls, not 'spinning' in the sense of pushing a narrative.
“They pointed out that Baier used similar language throughout the night, which you can see for instance in the clip below."
Baier then concluded: "Thank you for the clarification. It’s what I was saying to Bill. To take a quick look at the races still remaining."
President Trump's Fox News falling out
Tensions have become increasingly strained between the POTUS and Fox News, with Trump saying the network's polls are "always the worst," criticizing it for featuring Democratic pundit Jessica Tarlov, and making claims about spending.
On October 25, he wrote: "FoxNews is spending far too much time putting on the OPPONENTS of Republican Party Candidates, people that love our Country, and have Great Policies and Ideas.
"These American Patriots are being absolutely ‘blurred out’ by the Media, and Fox is doing little to help. That’s the only reason this Race is close, if it is indeed close."
Another post saw Trump speculate about an apparent October ratings drop and maintain his numbers have never been better, writing: "FoxNews Ratings are way down (27%!) because they’re spending too much time covering the Trump Deranged Dumocrats!”
As projections suggested the Democrats would take the House, Trump tore into Fox for its use of former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to provide analysis. Claiming de Blasio left the city in 'disgrace', Trump concluded: "It has never been the same, and now he’s telling us how to run America. FoxNews bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse."
Trump and Baier also clashed on election night during what’s been branded a 23-minute tirade from Trump.
He again called out the polls and told Fox News employees: "You ought to get yourself a good pollster, because your pollsters are the worst."
This earned some pushback from Baier, who told the Commander-in-Chief: "Tonight, actually, the results are pretty close to what the Fox polls showed.”
When pressed on whether he regretted picking Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate in Texas, Trump maintained he had 'no choice', due to Senator John Cornyn running for reelection, and him not being a loyal fan: "When it wasn’t fashionable to be with Trump, [Cornyn] wasn’t there. When it was fashionable, he kissed my [expletive], all right?”
President Trump has since turned his attention to the likes of the Sunshine Protection Act and the reflecting pool restoration.
