Trump Team Received Fox News Town Hall Questions in Advance, Book Claims

President-elect Donald Trump’s team was allegedly provided with the questions for a Fox News town hall in advance, according to a forthcoming book by Politico reporter Alex Isenstadt. The incident, described in “Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power,” reportedly occurred during a January 2024 town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

Isenstadt’s book, based on over 300 interviews and internal documents, claims that a Fox insider sent Trump’s team the exact questions and follow-ups 30 minutes before the event. The questions included topics such as Trump’s potential divestment from his businesses, his indictments, and his stance on political violence. Trump’s team reportedly used the information to prepare responses, giving him an advantage during the live broadcast.

Fox News has denied the allegations, stating they have no evidence of such a breach but will investigate if necessary. A spokesperson also refuted claims that Baier and Trump were close friends, noting they had only played golf a few times over the years.

Incoming White House communications director Steven Cheung did not directly address the claims but emphasized Trump’s transparency during his campaign. The book also reveals that Trump considered Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo as a potential running mate before being dissuaded by his team.

Isenstadt’s reporting highlights the close relationship between Trump and certain Fox News personalities, raising questions about journalistic ethics and media transparency. The book is set to be published by Grand Central Publishing.