WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna defended his decision to appear on Fox News after President Donald Trump launched a fresh round of attacks against both the California lawmaker and the conservative network.
The dispute began Sunday after Khanna appeared on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing.” During the interview, he focused on rebuilding American manufacturing and investing in industries such as steel, shipbuilding, and battery production in struggling industrial communities.
Soon after the interview aired, Trump criticized Khanna and Fox News in several posts on Truth Social. He accused the network of giving Democrats a platform without challenging their claims.
Khanna later responded on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying his appearance on conservative media was part of a broader Democratic strategy to reconnect with working-class voters.
“Trump’s second attack of the day on me,” Khanna wrote.
He said Democrats must focus on economic policies that help communities hit hard by factory closures and job losses.
“This is why I talk about an economic agenda to build steel, ship & battery plants in hollowed out communities,” Khanna said.
Khanna says Democrats must engage Trump voters.
Khanna also defended his outreach to conservative audiences and Trump supporters. He argued that Democrats cannot win national elections without speaking directly to voters across the political spectrum.
“This is why I talk to everyone, including Trump voters, without hurling insults,” Khanna wrote.
The congressman described the approach as a path toward political success and national unity.
“This is how Democrats will win & unite the country,” he added.
Khanna has increasingly pushed an economic message centered on manufacturing, industrial jobs, and domestic investment. The strategy aims to appeal to working-class Americans in states that shifted toward Republicans in recent election cycles.
Trump accuses Fox News of helping Democrats.
Trump responded with lengthy social media posts criticizing Fox News for inviting Democratic politicians onto its programs.
He specifically targeted “The Sunday Briefing” co-anchor Jacqui Heinrich for not challenging Khanna more aggressively during the interview.
“You could listen to Fox News all day long,” Trump wrote, before accusing Khanna of repeatedly lying during the segment.
Trump claimed the network undermined conservative messaging by allowing Democrats to speak without strong rebuttals.
The president also questioned why Fox News continued booking Democratic guests.
“Why would Fox put sc** like this on,” Trump wrote in one of the posts.
Trump later expanded his criticism to other public figures. He attacked comedian Bill Maher and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Trump called Maher “Low-Rated Bill Maher” and described Jeffries as “very Low IQ Hakeem Jeffries.”
Trump targets Khanna over steel industry comments.
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump directly attacked Khanna and accused Democrats of falsely claiming credit for improvements in the American steel industry.
“The Sleazebag, Radical Left Congressman from the failed State of California, Ro Khanna, should not be allowed on FoxNews unless you have an ‘anchor’ who is capable of disputing his lies,” Trump wrote.
Trump argued that his trade policies and tariffs revived domestic steel production during his administration.
“This morning he tried, on behalf of the Dumacrats, to take credit for the Steel Industry pouring back into the US,” Trump claimed.
The president also defended his economic record and argued the U.S. economy had improved significantly since his return to office.
“Our Country was dead during the last ‘Administration,’ and now it is hotter than ever before,” Trump wrote.
Growing tensions between Trump and Fox News
The public clash highlights ongoing tensions between Trump and Fox News despite the network’s strong support among conservative viewers.
Trump argued that Fox News damages Republican election chances when it gives airtime to Democrats and critics of his movement.
“This is why MAGA Republicans, who are actually close to 100% of the Party, hate Fox,” Trump wrote.
