Another Fox News Star Header to the White House?

President-elect Donald Trump has once again turned to his favorite television network to fill a top government role, naming Monica Crowley, a former Fox News contributor, as his pick for Chief of Protocol at the State Department.

This marks the latest in a series of appointments that highlight Trump’s reliance on the conservative cable giant to staff his administration.

Crowley, a longtime Fox personality, is no stranger to Trump’s orbit. She served as the assistant secretary of the Treasury for public affairs during his first term and has been a vocal supporter of his policies. Now, as Chief of Protocol, she will play a key role in managing diplomatic relations and formal state affairs.

However, Crowley’s appointment is part of a broader pattern. Trump, an avid Fox viewer, has appointed at least a dozen former Fox employees to high-ranking positions in his incoming administration. According to Media Matters for America, a left-leaning watchdog group, these include contributors, hosts, and even former network executives. At least eight more appointees have been frequent Fox guests.

This trend has raised eyebrows, especially as Trump’s picks for crucial national security roles, such as Secretary of Defense and National Security Adviser, include prominent former Fox personalities. Pete Hegseth, the former Fox & Friends Weekend host, is Trump’s choice to head the Department of Defense. Hegseth, a veteran of the Army National Guard, has seen his confirmation process hit snags due to reports of allegations and controversies surrounding his conduct.

Another notable appointee is former Rep. Sean Duffy, a reality TV star-turned-politician, who will take over the Department of Transportation. Duffy, who cohosted The Bottom Line on Fox Business Network, previously served as a congressman from Wisconsin before stepping down in 2019. His wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, also a former Fox personality, has deep ties to the network, and the couple’s influence in Trump’s administration is becoming increasingly evident.

Then there’s Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic representative from Hawaii who turned her back on her party and joined Fox in 2022. Trump has now nominated Gabbard for the role of Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard’s surprising shift to the right mirrors that of other former Fox contributors who have secured prominent positions, including Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s pick for Surgeon General, and former Florida Rep. Michael Waltz, tapped as National Security Adviser.

Trump’s Fox loyalty extends to diplomatic roles as well. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Fox stalwart from 2008 to 2015, was appointed as ambassador to Israel earlier this year. The move reinforces the growing fusion between Fox and the White House.

Critics argue that this pattern underscores Trump’s reliance on familiar, right-wing figures, while his allies argue it ensures a team of loyalists who align with his vision. As the Trump administration moves forward, it’s clear that Fox News will continue to serve as a key player in shaping the president’s policy and staffing decisions.

With these appointments, one thing is certain: the Fox News pipeline to the White House is now a powerful political force, shaping not just public opinion, but also the makeup of the U.S. government itself.