Donald Trump, the president-elect, has put forward Monica Crowley, a former contributor at Fox News, as his choice for chief of protocol at the State Department—this is indicative of the continuing trend of network personalities securing roles within the forthcoming administration.
As an enthusiastic follower of the right-leaning channel, Trump appears to be utilizing the network as a talent pool for his political selections. As recorded in an extensive list compiled by the left-oriented watchdog group Media Matters for America, his choices comprise at least 12 individuals who have previously been affiliated with Fox.
This compilation features paid contributors, several hosts, and even a former senior vice president from the network’s commercial division. Additionally, another eight nominees have been recognized as frequent guests on the channel. Notably, several ex-Fox figures are predicted to play significant roles in policy-making with nominations for prominent positions, such as the secretary of defense and national security adviser.
Among those making a notable impact thus far is Pete Hegseth, the ex-host of Fox and Friends Weekend, who has been selected by Trump to head the Department of Defense. Hegseth, a veteran of the Army National Guard, commenced his association with the cable network as a political analyst in 2014.
Nonetheless, Hegseth’s path to confirmation has been tumultuous due to emerging reports of allegations of sexual assault and issues with drinking on the job that have taken center stage in media discussions.
Among other prominent figures is former Rep. Sean Duffy, who previously co-hosted Fox Business Network’s The Bottom Line and has been chosen to guide the Department of Transportation. Duffy is also married to Rachel Campos-Duffy, Hegseth’s erstwhile co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend.
Duffy’s career trajectory was diverse prior to his time in conservative media—he initially gained fame as a reality TV personality on The Real World: Boston and Road Rules: All Stars.
He served as the district attorney for Ashland County, Wisconsin, up until 2010. That same year, he was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 7th District, serving until he stepped down in 2019.
Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, began her tenure as a paid contributor to the network in 2022 after her departure from the Democratic Party and a swift pivot to the right. Trump has subsequently nominated her for the role of director of national intelligence.
Gabbard was among a select few contributors chosen to help staff the Trump administration, joined by other former contributors such as Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, selected as surgeon general, and former Florida Rep. Michael Waltz, who has been named National Security Adviser.
Crowley, a seasoned conservative commentator who has been a Fox contributor for many years, also has experience from Trump’s previous administration, where she held the title of assistant secretary of the Treasury for public affairs.
Additionally, at least one other former Fox personality has been appointed to a diplomatic position—ex-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who hosted his own show, Huckabee, on the network from 2008 until 2015. Earlier in November, Trump announced Huckabee’s nomination as ambassador to Israel.
