A new book, "Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power," reveals that Trump campaign aides received the questions for his Fox News town hall in Iowa in advance, potentially giving them an unfair advantage. The book, authored by Politico's Alex Isenstadt, claims that Trump's advisors were hesitant to allow the town hall appearance.
According to the book, aides, concerned about Fox News' perceived antagonism towards the former president, feared a negative portrayal. However, Trump, reportedly on good terms with moderator Bret Baier, insisted on the sit-down.
The critical element: The campaign allegedly received images of the planned questions and follow-ups. Sources claim this was a significant advantage, providing almost a test preview before the televised event. The questions, detailed in the book, included inquiries about divestment from business interests, potential repercussions of the nomination, and disavowal of political violence.
Isenstadt, citing multiple sources, describes Trump's reaction to the pre-emptive information as one of displeasure. He perceived the questions as "attacks" intended to put him on the defensive. The Trump team, the book contends, subsequently worked on possible responses.
Fox News, upon learning of the allegations, issued a statement, expressing a lack of evidence while promising an internal investigation. A statement from Fox also disputed the depiction of the moderator-candidate relationship.
While the book's claims underscore a potential issue of fairness, the allegations are contested by Fox News. Additional context from the book shows Trump's consideration of Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo as a running mate, highlighting further intricate connections within the network. The campaign, however, ultimately did not pursue this avenue. These intricate details underscore the complex dynamics of the 2024 election cycle.
