In a dramatic twist of events surrounding the aftermath of Donald Trump’s Big Lie, Fox News found itself in hot water. The Rupert Murdoch-owned network was one of the first major news outlets to declare Arizona for Joe Biden on Election Night in 2020, which infuriated Trump and ignited a firestorm of backlash from his ardent supporters.

Jenny Brethen, a committed Fox viewer for two decades, exemplified the sentiment when she switched to Newsmax the day after the election, declaring, “Once you do something like that, you’re done in our book.” Brethen and others who followed her lead were part of a significant surge in Newsmax’s viewership as Trump encouraged his followers to switch channels.

Newsmax, which debuted in 2014, seized the opportunity to attract Fox’s talent, luring veteran hosts like Greta Van Susteren and Eric Bolling. Meanwhile, Fox fought back, attempting to quell the exodus by sidelining Trump skeptics and bringing on familiar Trump allies.

However, Fox’s troubles were compounded when primetime star Tucker Carlson was let go following a staggering $787.5 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. This prompted even more Trump supporters to migrate to Newsmax. A recent poll indicated that while 95% of Newsmax viewers still favored Trump, only 64% of Fox viewers did.

Although Newsmax has continued to rise, forging deals to expand its streaming services and even going public, Trump’s feud with Fox has lessened. He made waves with a high-profile return to Fox for an interview with Sean Hannity just months after announcing his candidacy for the 2024 election, coinciding with a boost in ratings for Fox.

Despite the growth of both conservative outlets post-election, Newsmax executives feel slighted, filing a lawsuit against Fox, claiming anticompetitive behavior has harmed their potential. They allege that if it weren't for Fox's tactics to maintain its dominance, Newsmax could have reached a larger audience and greater ad revenue.

The legal battle is now in the hands of Judge Aileen Cannon, who recently dismissed Newsmax's lawsuit and gave them a chance to refile with more specific details. Accusing Fox of stifling competition, Newsmax is seeking hefty damages, aiming for triple the amount of unspecified losses.

Interestingly, as Fox News spokesperson pointed out, Newsmax’s cry for legal help highlights their struggle in a competitive market, an irony given their previous claims to thrive in a capitalist environment. Newsmax’s CEO Chris Ruddy pointedly retorted, questioning Fox's intense focus on diminishing his network if they were as unsuccessful as claimed.

As Trump regains a foothold in conservative media via Newsmax, its commitment to the MAGA narrative remains intact. Yet, the larger question looms: Can any network truly rival Fox News’ steadfast influence in the political arena, even amidst litigation and controversy?