The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a notable blow to President Donald Trump on Monday by rejecting his attempt to federalize mail-in voting controls. This ruling not only underscores the court’s stance on states’ rights in conducting elections but also signals a significant setback for Trump, who has long criticized mail-in voting as prone to fraud.

While the rest of the news media highlighted the decision, one prominent outlet chose to downplay it significantly: Fox News. According to CNN’s Brian Stelter, the network barely covered the Supreme Court ruling during its prime-time lineup.

The SCOTUS ruling, which came during the busy evening news hours, received minimal attention on Fox. Notably, Laura Ingraham failed to mention it during her show, while Jesse Watters and Sean Hannity also ignored the ruling, despite Hannity emphasizing that the midterm elections are only 50 days away.

Fox News only acknowledged the Supreme Court’s decision late at night, with a brief, 45-second mention at 11:30 PM. Meanwhile, media giants like The New York Times framed the ruling as a pivotal moment in Trump’s ongoing battle for control over the electoral process.

The implications of the ruling could reverberate throughout the upcoming midterm elections. Legal experts suggest that Trump’s efforts to limit mail-in voting aimed to disenfranchise Democratic voters, an objective now thwarted by the Supreme Court’s definitive decision.

Trump expressed his outrage on social media, launching into a lengthy tirade where he slammed the decision as another “bad decision” from the Supreme Court. He labeled mail-in voting a “disaster” and described the United States as a “laughing stock” internationally for its election processes.

His comments, however, clash with facts; numerous countries, including established democracies like Canada and France, successfully utilize mail-in voting without the rampant issues Trump suggests. The president’s narrative is further complicated by the fact that he himself has voted by mail.

In his defense of mail-in ballot controls, Trump insinuated that certain justices were scared of “crazed and depraved Democrats.” He also aired grievances about the court’s rejection of his tariff regime and more, indicating his dissatisfaction with the conservative justices he appointed.

This incident marks yet another chapter in the complicated relationship between Trump and Fox News. Once one of his staunchest media allies, the network has tread carefully around election-related topics since its controversial call of Arizona for Biden in 2020.

Following legal turbulence related to defamation accusations surrounding election fraud claims, Fox has progressively distanced itself from absolute loyalty to Trump. This includes recently parting ways with long-time Trump supporter Maria Bartiromo for allegedly leaking company information.

The relationship between Trump and Fox News continues to evolve. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with how Fox has handled issues surrounding elections and voter fraud, particularly after the turbulent 2020 election.

As midterms approach, the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision looms large. Legal experts are watching closely to see how this ruling might shape strategy and voter turnout for both parties.

The court’s decision also reaffirms the judiciary’s role in upholding democratic processes, possibly preventing future attempts by Trump or any party to undermine these systems.

Some political analysts see this as a turning point for Trump’s influence over Republican strategies leading into the midterm elections, as the party navigates a tumultuous relationship with its most prominent figure.

Above all, the electoral landscape is rapidly changing, and how candidates respond to this Supreme Court ruling will be critical to their electoral success.

With the high-stakes elections on the horizon, the conversation around mail-in voting and its validity continues to dominate both political dialogue and media coverage.

As Trump navigates these latest setbacks, it remains to be seen whether he can regroup and reestablish dominance within the party or if this ruling will catalyze a shift in Republican attitudes towards mail-in voting in the future.

The upcoming elections will ultimately test the resilience and coherence of Trump’s messaging and strategy, particularly in light of judicial decisions that could alter electoral participation.