Fox News Turns on Trump as Immigration Polls Collapse After Minneapolis Shooting

Donald Trump is facing one of his toughest political weeks yet, and this time the warning signs are coming from an unexpected place: Fox News and Rupert Murdoch’s media empire.

According to recent Fox News polling, Trump is now underwater on immigration, an issue that has long been considered one of his strongest political weapons. A majority of Americans now believe ICE has gone too far, with 59% saying enforcement tactics are too aggressive. Even among Republican-leaning voters, approval is slipping fast.

Minneapolis Shooting Sparks Political Backlash

The shift follows the deadly shooting of Alex Pretty in Minneapolis, an incident that has ignited nationwide outrage. Graphic street footage, viral videos, and conflicting official statements quickly exploded online, fueling criticism of ICE and DHS tactics.

While Americans still broadly support securing the border and deporting criminal offenders, polls show deep discomfort with images of seemingly non-violent individuals being rounded up. As one Fox analyst noted, “This is a compassionate country — even illegal immigrants are not beyond that compassion.”

Murdoch Media Sends a Warning

Behind the scenes, Rupert Murdoch appears to be using his outlets to pressure Trump into changing course. On Fox & Friends, hosts openly urged Trump to deploy border enforcement veteran Tom Homan to Minneapolis to “settle things down” amid growing unrest.

Trump appeared to respond directly, announcing on social media that Homan would be sent to Minnesota and report directly to him — a rare case of the president visibly following advice from his TV allies.

Soon after, even staunch Trump defenders like Sean Hannity criticized ICE’s public messaging, calling arrests at places like Home Depot “bad optics” and warning that officials had made claims not supported by video evidence.

Polls Show Deepening Trouble for Trump

Fox News’ own data now paints a grim picture. Trump’s overall approval is slipping below 40%, with disapproval rising sharply across immigration, economic management, and public trust. Analysts say this shift is significant precisely because it’s coming from conservative media that once shielded the president.

Insiders warn that this isn’t just about Minneapolis — it reflects a broader erosion of support that could become catastrophic heading into the 2026 midterms.

A Crisis Trump Can’t Spin Away

As inflation fears rise and warnings of a looming U.S.-centered economic crisis grow louder, even Murdoch’s media machine appears unable — or unwilling — to fully contain the damage.

When voters are watching events unfold in real time and feeling economic pain firsthand, spin only goes so far.

The question now isn’t whether Trump is losing control of the narrative — it’s whether his most powerful media allies are preparing for life after him.