This does
go against CNN's claim that Fox News is a state run operation, right?
DING! DING! DING!
That's the right answer. LOL
This is one of the best "Take the High Ground" maneuvers I've ever seen. It's a free punch with no cost. It shows their independence from the White House, and they didn't have to pay anything for it.
This isn't about about freedom of the press, the Constitution, mic grabbing, or rude behavior. The judge's decision will not, in any way, shape or form, consider the opinion of Fox News. Coming out in favor of or against Acosta will not have any effect on the outcome of the legal decision. The judge is not going to go, "Well, the White House has a good case, and I'm thinking of ruling in their favor, but what does Fox News think about it?"
Taking the High Road in favor of Acosta and saying "We support the freedom of the press!" brings with it exactly zero risk, while at the same time it allows them to utterly destroy the narrative that they are a wholly-owned subsidiary of the President. They can say "We're not State media. We're not in bed with the President. We went directly against him on him Acosta and the Constitution!"
Regardless of the outcome, Fox wins. If the judge rules against Acosta, they'll be like, "Well, we did all we could We took the flag waving, Battle Hymn of the Republic playing high ground of freedom of the press, even for a rival. It just didn't go our way. Win some, lose some, but clearly we're not a tool of the President."
If the judge rules in favor of Acosta, Fox News gets more Jim Acosta. Fox News doesn't love Jim Acosta as much as Jim Acosta loves him some Jim Acosta, no one does, but they do love them some Jim Acosta. They will be able to continue to compare and contrast Jim Acosta, White House Press Corps Rodeo Clown, with John Roberts, Principled Journalist.
So look way up there on The High Ground. Hard to belive it, but yep, that's Fox News. Brilliant
