Chris Wallace has been a hot topic lately after his horrid performance as moderator of the first presidential debate (see Chris Wallace’s Debate Performance Was Absolutely Disgraceful). That’s escalated into him just completely ripping the mask off and dancing around with his bias in full view. It was well known that he’s a registered Democrat, but it is a bit surprising just how far off the deep end he’s gone.

(see Chris Wallace Rips the Mask off Completely, Sinks to a New Low)

Yesterday, Wallace was no better. He welcomed Trump senior advisor Steve Cortes onto his show, not to focus on Trump being in the hospital or to discuss serious policy issues, but to harangue Cortes over the Trump family not wearing masks while seated and socially distanced at the debate.

Chris Wallace cements new tactic: interrupt when media narrative is challenged. Then, malign Trump Republicans.

His recent pivot lacks integrity and independence. This is all about circling the wagons for a partisan media industry.

Good on @CortesStevepic.twitter.com/dXOsuq8Ahw

— Ali 🟧 #JoeBidenIsSick (@ali) October 4, 2020

I think Cortes held his own fairly well there, pivoting to Wallace’s insane bias that keeps showing up in all his public interactions with Republican figures, from the President to his advisors. He noted Wallace’s penchant to insert himself into debates and editorialize. That’s not journalism, but Wallace wasn’t going to hear it. He blew up at the end of the clip because that’s who he is now. Whatever serious newsman he used to be, there’s nothing of that remaining. He’s Jake Tapper with a hotter temper at this point.

You have to ask if Wallace sees some kind of writing on the wall about his employment. When Shepherd Smith began to go insanely in the direction of being a partisan Democrat, it turned out to be a prelude to him leaving Fox news. Is Wallace on that path? Or do the higher ups actually think this is acceptable for a network that does cater to more conservative audiences?

For Fox News’ sake, it better be the former. You can only spit in the face of your audience so long before they turn you off. As I’ve said before, that doesn’t mean the hard news division at Fox has to slant their coverage. What it does mean is that their “anchors” shouldn’t be acting as if they are auditioning for CNN. You can share facts, even facts unpleasant to Republicans, without being crazy about it. Wallace has become crazy though. What’s in that clip is not normal. I also think some of this is the personalities on the network trying to save face with the idea that Trump is going to lose. They want to be taken “seriously” if Joe Biden becomes president. That may be a gamble that doesn’t pay out in their favor though.

Regardless, whoever is in charge at Fox News better wake up and make some changes, because if their plan is become CNN’s clone, that’s not going to work out well for them.

(Please follow me on Twitter! @bonchieredstate)