Trump Slump? Cable News Ratings Tank After Election as Viewers Boycott
There has long been a conventional wisdom that dedicated daily coverage of Donald Trump‘s outrage-inducing activities equals ratings bumps for cable news networks. That was certainly true during his first administration, where the 24/7 news cycle was routinely dominated by talking head panels dissecting one scandal after another ad nauseam as viewers clung to every update like a liferaft. After he left office in 2021, the major networks’ ratings nosedived. This time, though, the story might be very different, as some of those would-be anti-Trump audiences choose indifference over hate-watching and refuse to participate in a Trump ratings bump.
Shortly after the election results were clear, The New York Times reported that news outlets expected to see at least a short-term spike in audience ratings and newspaper subscriptions in the wake of Trump’s election. However, that hasn’t happened at the more Democrat-friendly outlets at all. A new report at Mediaite reveals that post-election ratings at CNN and MSNBC have plummeted; on Thursday (November 7), Fox News averaged 2.6 million daily viewers (with 375,000 in the 25-54 demographic), while MSNBC had just 596,000 viewers (71,000 in the age bracket) and CNN had 419,000 (and 91,000 in the desired demo). That’s a 60 percent increase year over year for Fox but a 23 percent decrease in the same metric for MSNBC and a 40 percent dip for CNN. The decline reportedly continued on Friday, as MSNBC’s shows had their lowest Friday ratings of the year.
Social media has been alight with anecdotal explanations for why the liberal-leaning news networks are seeing such a stark drop in viewership: Many blame the media for “normalizing” Trump’s candidacy and refuse to reward them with the ratings they suspect the network execs desired in doing so.
“Now 6 straight days without listening to any Cable news network. Refreshing. It’s amazing how all they do is sensationalize everything for ratings without much regard for the actual truth or their viewers,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another, who tagged both CNN and MSNBC in their tweet, wrote, “I refuse to watch Season Two of the trump show on cable news. During Season One, I was obsessed. This time, I won’t give them what they wanted – increased ratings. I learned my lesson. The boycott continues.”
One user clocked their determination to see the ratings for both networks drop in on Thursday by writing, “I’m curious what the cable news ratings are going to look like this week. I know I’m not alone in the decision to stop watching the news among the leaning folks. Fox probably has normal viewership, but I’m guessing CNN and MSNBC are down double digits.”
One user pointed to Morning Joe as a source of spite: “I used to watch @Morning_Joe @morningmika @JoeNBC. I stopped watching all cable news shows bc they immediately started attacking democrats. This has been so much better for my mental health. We need their ratings to plummet.The political news hosts, political podcasters, and radio personalities all want us divided. They want us fighting each other. It’s good for ratings. They don’t care about us! Nothing the orange goon does will hurt them. Most of the hosts are millionaires.”
We’ll have to wait and see whether things change as the inauguration nears — and once the actual administration begins — but for now, the news doesn’t look good for the news.
Conversation21 Comments
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O
Both sides of the news spectrum are liars.
I have a Journalism degree and I have been saying for at least a decade that I’m glad my college journalism mentor is no longer here seeing the lies and filth both sides the MSM promote to the populace.
It’s sad. They are here to give us the facts and news. We the consumer make our own decisions on the news.
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O
Integrity and ethics are non-existent in today's media.
16 1
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G
It was never news. It was just about spouting their opinions with no realistic backing up with facts
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B
Democrats still don’t get it. They went progressive off many cliffs, and most people rejected them. Buh bye!
16 7
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O
U are nothing more than a media programmed puppet...wake up!!
7 1
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B
TDS is real. Relax and breath. It is a mass plot against you.
9 3
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O
Lol...these people are nothing more than media programmed puppets
3 1
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O
You can't afford trump's rich folks tax cuts. Good luck, Smokie.
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P
The right thinks they won but the truth is we call lost. Say good-bye to the USA.
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B
Maybe you should leave. Trump has a country to run.
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O
Trump hasn't done a thing in his life, but rape and struggle with golf.
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G
I think u should start a gay country on the moon n leave decent people n there kids alone no one wants ur sick crap catch on theres a lot of people didnt care what u did behind closed doors until u started put our face in ur nastness n trying to educate children with ur sick views gor me now i hate all gay people discusseing ur sex life with anyone other than whom u have sex with should be illeagal
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You need to go to school. Seek an education.
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R
Exactly. All over the price of eggs. Only it wasn't eggs.
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R
And I'm sick of the childish name-calling from both sides. Don't watch and if your person won, please go rejoice! Party on!
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E
I stopped watching the big news outlets as soon as they quit covering the sickening things Trump was saying and doing and started normalizing his behavior. I expected Faux News to kiss his butt, but not everyone else too!
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O
I too quit watching all news channels for my mental health! I cannot listen to Trumper and his cohorts extolling his virtues! He is disgusting . I am just so done with this and cannot listen to him bitch for 4 more years about how horrible it is here. Maybe he should leave!
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P
I quit watching 24/7 cable news years ago and there's basically nothing any of them could do at this point to make me tune into either sensationalizing OR normalizing the orange one's antics.
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P
I liked MSNBC because they made me feel like I wasn't alone about that disgusting "being" (I don't think he is human). But since November 5th have not watched a single newscast, including local news because I am still in shock and it upsets the so much. I don't have the mental health to deal with seeing that thing's face or hear that voice. This country, my country, has lost all decency, honesty, empathy and Justice. That a majority of people voted that way makes me feel sick. Thanks for letting me vent.😌⚜️
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C
True Americans are sick of the sniveling childishness of the self absorbed Leftists who are brainwashed by the Marxists media into neurotic navel droolers.
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C
The news media failed to report on Trumps mental health decline not project 2025. Also, why have they not reported on Elon Musk’s Starlink switching votes? Have to go to Midas Touch to find the real news
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