Story perspectives

Trump slams Fox over El-Sayed interview after poll

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 5:46 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Trump Attacks Fox

President Donald Trump attacked Fox News for giving airtime to Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.
Trump labeled El-Sayed a “radical extremist” and “terrorist sympathizer” on Truth Social.
Fox News survey of 1,028 likely Michigan voters (Sept 24-28) showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50% to 49%.
Trump condemned Fox anchor Martha MacCallum’s interview with El-Sayed as a “softball interview.”

Summary

Rogers Urges Tariff End

Rogers publicly urges immediate end to the U.S.-Canada tariff war in a new ad.
He defended the tariffs as “necessary” only weeks earlier, marking a swift reversal.
President Donald Trump imposed 50% duties on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods in July, prompting retaliation.
Michigan imports $43.5 billion from Canada each year, with autos and parts accounting for about 48%.
Rep. John James (R) urged the USTR to restart talks with Canada.

History

Historical Context

In 1979, the United States imposed a 10% tariff on $1.5 billion of Canadian soft-wood lumber, sparking a prolonged trade dispute. President Jimmy Carter, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and the U.S. International Trade Commission negotiated a 1979 agreement limiting Canadian exports to 1.2 million cubic meters annually. Donald Trump attacks Fox News host Martha MacCallum for interviewing Abdul El-Sayed, while Governor Gretchen Rogers reverses her July 2024 tariff stance, recalling 1979 trade friction. The 1979 settlement showed that tariff escalations generate political backlash and demand bipartisan negotiation, warning today’s leaders to avoid costly trade wars.

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Trump Attacks Fox

President Donald Trump attacked Fox News for giving airtime to Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan.
Trump labeled El-Sayed a “radical extremist” and “terrorist sympathizer” on Truth Social.
Fox News survey of 1,028 likely Michigan voters (Sept 24-28) showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50% to 49%.
Trump condemned Fox anchor Martha MacCallum’s interview with El-Sayed as a “softball interview.”

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