President Donald Trump is once again making headlines—not for policy, but for the blistering critiques he launched Sunday night against two prominent Fox News figures: Howard Kurtz and Karl Rove. The outbursts, made on his Truth Social platform, came in response to coverage and commentary analyzing Trump’s first 100 days back in office, coverage he clearly believes fell short of loyalty, clarity, and, above all, reverence.
Trump: I don’t need to have Karl Rove of FoxNews to tell me what to do. The guy’s a total Loser who’s been wrong about almost everything! .. Here is what Karl said pic.twitter.com/IG21SWrMrI
— Ehab Alabsy (@AlabsyEhab) May 5, 2025
Though Fox News once stood as Trump’s media stronghold, the relationship has increasingly frayed in recent years. Sunday night brought yet another fracture, as the former president lashed out at Howard Kurtz, the veteran media analyst and host of Media Buzz, and Karl Rove, the former George W. Bush adviser turned Fox contributor.
On Kurtz, Trump was unsparing:
“It is time for Howie Kurtz to retire,” he wrote.
Despite Kurtz defending Trump during the segment—particularly regarding his firing of national security advisor Mike Waltz—Trump took issue with the inclusion of negative media clippings from outlets like CNN and MSNBC, claiming it drowned out the defense.
“Every Woke Anchor in the Business… are plastered all over his show with all really negative and fake statements and then I am weakly ‘defended’ by Howie and his group,” Trump posted, only sparing contributor Ben Domenech, who he praised as “strong.”
Trump added that Kurtz’s defense was so ineffective it would be better if he “didn’t say anything.”
Kurtz responded lightly but directly on X (formerly Twitter):
“Lot of trolls out today… I’ve known President Trump for 35 years and if I hated him, he wouldn’t keep giving me interviews.”
A pointed reminder that even in Trump’s world, criticism and proximity aren’t mutually exclusive.
Later that evening, Trump tuned into Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy, only to find Karl Rove dissecting his first 100 days and offering advice for improving poll numbers. Rove, in his usual wonkish tone, pointed to inflation, gas prices, and the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariff strategy as major factors hurting his favorability.
“He’s got to be focused on… a strong and prosperous economy and inflation being wiped up,” Rove said.
Trump’s response? Vintage Trump.
“I don’t need Karl Rove of Fox News to tell me what to do,” he wrote, before calling Rove a “total Loser who’s been wrong about almost everything.”
It’s a familiar drumbeat from Trump: loyalty above all, skepticism toward even mild critique, and scorched-earth rhetoric for those who cross the line—even if that “line” is simply suggesting he should recalibrate.
🚨HAPPENING NOW🚨
President Donald Trump calls out Karl Rove and reminds the world he’s a “total loser.” pic.twitter.com/1gmQRYqdIi
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) May 5, 2025
Behind the insults and social media salvos is a telling signal: Trump remains acutely aware of his standing, both with the public and with media allies who helped build and sustain his political rise. His recent approval rating dip—paired with economic uncertainty and unpopular policy moves like aggressive tariffs—has drawn scrutiny even from his usual allies. And that, for Trump, is a red flag.
Good Morning !
Where @KarlRove continues the @FoxNews fiction that “the polls” are accurate representations of American voter preferences.
Where were these same polls last summer and fall, Karl?
Oh that’s right, they were fabricating a Harris lead https://t.co/MmZIPXcTma pic.twitter.com/tdeP3ThKJ5
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) May 5, 2025
In his eyes, Fox News isn’t supposed to question him; it’s supposed to amplify him. But as the network continues to balance between its pro-Trump base and a broader conservative audience, moments like this reflect the growing gap between Trump the figurehead and Trump the policymaker—a divide not all media personalities are willing to bridge unconditionally.
