Brian Kilmeade has spent three decades at Fox News, and he’s not slowing down. In fact, the longtime host just released a new history book. Meanwhile, he still co-hosts FOX & Friends and the weekend show One Nation. He also leads the nationally syndicated news/talk radio program The Brian Kilmeade Show.
The book, Uniting the States: Six Crucial Moments That Forged the American Miracle, is available now. It highlights six lesser-known turning points in early American history. Specifically, Kilmeade covers the Boston Massacre, Washington’s battlefield strategy, the Battle of New Orleans, the Louisiana Purchase, Shays’ Rebellion, and John Quincy Adams’ fight against slavery.
“I do this series on Fox Nation called What Made America Great,” said Kilmeade. “What I’m always astounded by when I go back in history is that certain things happen in our past that are unthinkable, illogical, and they always seem to break our way. I thought, what are those six moments? There were like 20, and I just knocked it down.”
Instead of a war-heavy approach, Kilmeade chose to emphasize how the country came together.
“I didn’t want to just focus on wars,” Kilmeade said. “I just thought if I bring up those moments, not well known, from this angle, I’ll be able to give people additional reasons to be proud of our country.”
Beyond the subject matter, Kilmeade loves the writing process. Above all, he enjoys the research, which comes without a daily deadline.
“I enjoy the research of it,” the longtime Fox News host shared. “The fact is, it’s not a deadline. With this, all I have is a two-year ramp-up. I’m able to organize the research and relax, think about it, and I think the research part of it is the best.”
How History Shapes Today’s Headlines
That research doesn’t stay on the page. Instead, it shapes how Kilmeade reacts to breaking news on television and radio.
“I cannot tell you how many times I’m reacting to the news, especially in the talk show format,” said Kilmeade. “I do the radio show, and I do FOX & Friends. A lot of times, things happen and it reminds me of something I studied. I’m not going to recite law, because we have so many great lawyers as anchors. But I can give some context about what happened in the past.”
Better yet, that knowledge sticks. Kilmeade can’t say the same about his phone.
“I lose my phone 20 times a day,” Kilmeade said. “I don’t know where I put my iPad. But for some reason, this stuff sticks. It really helps me see the big picture through all these historic times that we’re in.”
Kilmeade also brings that history to live audiences. Fox Nation streams his stage shows, which recreate the six moments with scripts and production value.
“It’s my pushback on the war on history, the pulling down of statues and everything, which I found extremely disturbing,” said Kilmeade. “So I thought, okay, let’s just go about it, because very intelligent people just don’t remember anything about American history. I do it in a fun, entertaining way.”
Reflecting on 30 Years at Fox News
Of course, Kilmeade has plenty of history of his own. He’s been part of Fox News since 1996, and the network recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
“I feel so lucky that I was able to stay here this long,” the longtime Fox News host shared. “Fox News kept adjusting, and I was allowed to stay through it. They would have had the same success without me, but I’m just so thankful to be a part of it.”
Along the way, the building itself has changed dramatically.
“My office was on 17 forever, now it’s on 21,” Kilmeade said. “We’ve been all over this building with studios. So it does not feel like the same job. It feels dramatically different.”
Even so, Kilmeade doesn’t view his schedule as a grind.
“When people say, oh, Brian, you work a lot, I feel like going, do you realize this isn’t really work?” said Kilmeade. “This is really what I want to do. I don’t need to run a marathon. I don’t need to golf. This is really what I like doing, talking to interesting people about the things that matter most, at the number one network that’s always thinking about what’s next.”
Advice for Karoline Leavitt
Looking ahead, Karoline Leavitt joins the network next month. Kilmeade doesn’t think she needs much coaching, but he did share what makes Fox News tick.
“She’s as talented as anybody that’s ever walked in the building,” said Kilmeade. “I don’t think she needs any of my advice. I’ve heard Democrats even comment how great a press secretary she is. She asks great questions. She anticipates questions, the research that goes into the preparation, the willingness to work, that’s all of it.”
Kilmeade also pointed to the network’s culture.
“If you know her, there’s no ego,” the longtime Fox News host shared. “The one thing about Fox, they don’t hire egomaniacs. It just doesn’t work. There’s no difference between the talent and the producers.”
As for her future, Kilmeade offered a bold prediction.
“You mark my words,” Kilmeade said. “She’ll be a dominant host very soon, as much as she can as a new mom.”
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