The enduring charm of Fox News’ flagship morning program, “Fox and Friends,” is that its ratings continue to flourish despite that its hosts know so little about so much.
It’s proof that anyone can make it in America.
Host Ainsley Earhardt, for example, believes Japan was under communist rule during World War II. Her remarks came in response to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo complaining this week that America has “never been great.”
“You know, we defeated Communist Japan, radical Islamists – we ask our men and our women to go overseas to fight for our country and sacrifice so much for this great country so that we can be the land of the free, the land of the brave,” Earhardt said Thursday.
A few quick points:
First, kudos to co-host Steve Doocy, who tried to clean up her remarks by saying the U.S. defeated “Japan and communism.”
But second, the U.S. hasn’t defeated communism. It’s alive and well in several countries (see: China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba).
Third, we have defeated some radical Islamists, but the fight is still far from over. I’d hold off on hoisting the “Mission Accomplished” banner for a little while longer.
Fourth, as “Fox and Friends” keeps showing us, historical illiteracy in the Trump era cuts both ways. No one political side has a corner on this market. Now that I think of it, Earhardt lecture is like an unintentional recitation of John Belushi’s pep talk from “Animal House.”
She concluded, “We’re the most generous country in all of the world. Yes, we have our faults. But because of this country, our world is definitely a better place. We are great.”
I don’t disagree with any of this. America is great. It’s the kind of place where a person who believes the United States defeated Communist Japan in World War II can co-host a hugely successful morning show.
