Jeremy Barr of The Hollywood Reporter reports about emails to government officials from bookers at Fox Business shows to land guests.
Barr reports, “In April 2017, a producer for Lou Dobbs‘ Fox Business Network program played up the show’s ratings advantage over Maria Bartiromo‘s morning show when trying to land an interview with Treasury Sec. Steven Mnuchin. ‘Secretary Mnuchin next week you think?’ the producer said in an email to Mnuchin’s spokesperson. ‘He is doing Maria Bartiromo you know — much lower ratings than us and I say this in an endearing way.’
“The producer also played up Dobbs’ popularity among supporters of the president, writing: ‘I just want to make sure he is reaching ALL of the commuters from the Trump train! :)’
“A month later, then-Treasury spokesperson Tony Sayegh assured the Fox Business Network producer: ‘You guys are next!!!!! we love LOU!!!!’
“Then, in June 2017, the producer wrote back: ‘My dearest Tony! I see [Mnuchin] is doing Varney tomorrow. I am hurt! I really really need him for Lou.” She then added, ‘Thank God, I just asked someone from [Stuart Varney‘s show] and they said he won’t be doing their show. That’s great news.'”
Read more here.
