Fox News host Jeanine Pirro is set to be a “special guest” at a fundraiser for Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) next month. Her appearance would be a clear violation of the network’s alleged policy against such activity.
In November 2018, after Pirro and fellow Fox News host Sean Hannity spoke at a campaign rally for President Donald Trump, the network claimed that it “does not condone any talent participating in campaign events. … This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed.”
In reality, Fox News hosts and contributors have been doing Republican Party campaign events for years. Though Fox News personalities began to mysteriously disappear as scheduled participants at some GOP events in 2019 after Media Matters reported on them, they still continued to appear at other events.
The Washington Post reported in December that “network executives have intervened to cancel a long string of fundraising appearances that were to have featured Fox News figures, according to people at Fox, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe its internal operations. Among others, Pirro has been asked to cancel eight events that she was scheduled to speak or appear at this year, including seven since September, according to internal documents.”
At the same time, Fox News personalities like Mark Levin, Gregg Jarrett, Karl Rove, and Jason Chaffetz have done Republican events. Pirro herself made a “surprise” November appearance at a Republican fundraiser in Florida.
Fox News will apparently have to “address” its policy with Pirro yet again.
The Justice with Judge Jeanine host is scheduled to be the “special guest” at an August 20 “Birthday Bash BBQ for Congressman Louie Gohmert” in Tyler, Texas. Reserved seating starts at $150, while the highest contribution level includes: “Reserved seating for 8, SIGNED copy of Judge Jeanine's book for each guest and a special gift from Louie/ VIP meet and greet with photo.” Gohmert’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Gohmert has been a repeat guest on Pirro’s program.
