Colleagues of Fox News anchor Chris Wallace defended him as President Trump lashed out at the journalist for being critical of his administration.
On Sunday, Trump aired his grievances against Wallace’s coverage, calling him a “Mike Wallace wannabe,” invoking the Fox News anchor’s late father, who was also a prominent journalist.
Just watched Mike Wallace wannabe, Chris Wallace, on @FoxNews. I am now convinced that he is even worse than Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd of Meet the Press(please!), or the people over at Deface the Nation. What the hell is happening to @FoxNews. It’s a whole new ballgame over there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2020
Jedediah Bila, a host at the network, said Wallace “is doing his job.”
“Enough with the 3rd grade name-calling,” Bila, who is recovering from the coronavirus, tweeted. “The news should not be any president’s friend, ally, or buddy. If it bothered you when Obama complained about Fox News, but you’re silent on this complete nonsense, then just stop. Seriously. Enough.”
Enough with the 3rd grade name-calling. Chris is doing his job. The news should not be any president’s friend, ally, or buddy. If it bothered you when Obama complained about Fox News, but you’re silent on this complete nonsense, then just stop. Seriously. Enough. https://t.co/uW1Dw275Or
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) April 12, 2020
Fox News contributor Guy Benson said Wallace “is tough and fair.”
Chris Wallace is tough and fair. He’s a very skilled, informed, determined questioner. He’s perfectly suited for the job & we’re lucky to have him. @FoxNewsSunday
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) April 13, 2020
“He’s the best Sunday show host of his time, and perhaps of all time,” Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume added.
I will. He’s the best Sunday show host of his time, and perhaps of all time. https://t.co/TEXYG0Ojwn
— Brit Hume (@brithume) April 13, 2020
Wallace responded to past criticism from Trump by citing the president’s relationship with his own father.
“He often likes to say about me, ‘You know, I was covered by Mike Wallace, I liked him much more,’” the Fox News anchor said last year. “To which my reaction is always: One of us has a daddy problem, and it’s not me.”
