Earlier this week, Fox News anchor Bret Baier alluded to the White House not confirming a pre-Super Bowl interview request with President Joe Biden. A report from CNN says the network is operating as if it will not happen.
CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy quoted a Fox News source in his Reliable Sources newsletter, with the source claiming “We don’t have a formal no, but we are operating like it’s not happening.”
It has become somewhat of a tradition for the sitting President to host the network broadcasting the Super Bowl for a pregame interview. The Super Bowl pregame show — this year on FOX — will be more than five-and-a-half hours in length, featuring plenty of time for a deviation from football analysis.
Biden has had what could easily be called a contentious relationship with the cable outlet during his time in office. Since taking office on in 2021, the 46th President has not granted a one-on-one interview with the network. The network’s primetime lineup — featuring Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, and Jesse Watters, among others, has been more than critical of the Biden Administration.
Baier would almost assuredly be tabbed as the network’s interviewer, should one fall into place. Traditionally, the interview is conducted on the Friday before the Super Bowl but is confirmed weeks in advance for logistical purposes.
The President has made himself available for interviews with other networks this week. He filmed longform interviews with both PBS NewsHour and Telemundo, which Darcy notes “would make the possible snub all the more notable”.
