What is then a “donation” and what is Paid for? Imagine if Murdoch pulled away from Trump (ODT)

Gabe Sherman reveals how it works: If Fox News tries to reign in their worst voices like Jeanine Pirro, Trump picks up the phone and calls Rupert Murdoch.

But a sequence of events around Jeanine Pirro’s suspension shows how much clout Trump has. Even though Lachlan Murdoch is the head of Fox News now, Rupert Murdoch has Trump’s ear, and he uses it.

According to Sherman and his sources, staffers thought Jeanine Pirro would be fired, but Trump intervened, calling Rupert Murdoch to complain about her suspension. Instead of firing her, Sherman reports that Fox allowed Pirro to return to the air, but took out her opening monologue where she rants and stirs a froth of anger with viewers. That prompted Trump to complain to Rupert again, which caused a compromise to be forged where she could deliver an abbreviated version of her monologue.

“Trump called Rupert, and Rupert put pressure on the executives,” a source told Sherman.

Just like that!

via CONFIRMED: Fox News Is Officially State TV | Crooks and Liars