A new book is making waves with an explosive claim about the 2024 presidential race. According to excerpts reported by CNN, Fox News allegedly provided Donald Trump’s campaign with advance knowledge of the questions he would face in a January 2024 town hall, hosted by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. The claim comes from Alex Isenstadt’s forthcoming book, Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power, set to be published in March.
Isenstadt’s account suggests that, just 30 minutes before the event began in Iowa, a senior aide to Trump received a series of text messages from someone inside Fox News. These messages reportedly contained images of the exact questions that Trump would be asked, along with follow-ups—down to the precise wording. While the Fox News network has denied these claims, stating that no evidence of a breach exists and that they take such matters seriously, the alleged leak raises serious concerns about journalistic integrity.
The Trump campaign’s internal discussions about the town hall reveal a divided response. While some aides questioned whether Trump should even participate in the event, others were concerned about his lack of preparation. Trump himself wasn’t particularly keen on rehearsing for the broadcast, reportedly deciding to “wing it.”
The questions planned for the town hall were said to cover sensitive topics, such as Trump’s potential conflicts of interest due to his business dealings, concerns about his viability as the Republican nominee given his legal challenges, and whether he would denounce political violence. The advance knowledge of these questions reportedly gave Trump’s team an advantage, allowing them to formulate responses ahead of time.
If true, this incident represents a serious breach of journalistic ethics. Typically, networks hosting town halls or debates go to great lengths to prevent such leaks, understanding the importance of unbiased, unscripted exchanges. In the midst of a high-stakes presidential campaign, it’s crucial that all candidates play on a level field—without unfair advantages gained through leaked information. Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, did not directly address the allegations, instead touting Trump’s transparency and accessibility as key factors in his past electoral successes. However, the fallout from these revelations could have lasting effects on both Fox News and Trump’s 2024 bid.