I have repeatedly said fascism is the philosophy of the bully. Nobody understands this better than Fox News. They not only know it; they live it. They practice it. They are bullies. And they can be left wing or right wing,. It doesn’t matter.
As Jen Senko analyzed it in her film The Brainwashing of My Dad,
“The effect of bullying is simple. It works on two levels:
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It shuts the guest up, if they’re making a point that the bully doesn’t want to hear.
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Fake outrage makes the bully look justified as they try to shame their frustrated guest into silence.”
Rush Limbaugh on the radio was one of the best bullies.Tucker Carlson was an expert at this, so was Sean Hannity, but probably all Fox hosts use this tactic, because their viewer like to see. People hanker to see bullies beat up (metaphorically at least) on their foes. Senko’s father used to be “a nice guy,” but he got to like the Fox hosts attack a guest or someone they were just talking about. Then he wasn’t such a nice guy any more.
Bullies enjoy presenting themselves “in your face.” They like to look strong. They love to shame others. They use verbal overkill. They are not wishy-washy or namby-pamby like other TV shows. Liberals are much too circumspect for them.
The primary media outlet for the right in America is Fox News. Fox News is ubiquitous. And their viewers are loyal. Loyalty on steroids. Those listeners love the outrage. And they love to see liberals squirm on camera. It gives them a. high. And Fox knows how to deliver.
This is unlike Liberals in America who view an array of sources. As Pew Research found in 2024, 15% watch CNN, 12% watch MSNBC,13% NPR, and 10% read the NYT. 47% of “consistent conservatives” watch Fox News.
97% of American talk radio is conservative and 3% progressive according to Streaming Guidelines.
Rush Limbaugh was showed on military bases. Is it surprising so many of the military men are strongly right-wing? They are paid to be bullies and find the position of the bully very congenial.