UPDATE
Fox News provided the following statement from Bill Sammon, the Senior, Vice President and Managing Editor of Fox in Washington:
“We hope the DNC will reconsider its decision to bar Chris Wallace Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum all of whom embody the ultimate journalistic integrity and professionalism from moderating a Democratic presidential debate. They’re the best debate team in the business and they offer candidates an important opportunity to make their case to the largest TV news audience in America which includes many persuadable voters.”
ORIGINAL POST
The Democratic National Committee has no interest in partnering with Fox News for its upcoming 2020 debate schedule. Chair Tom Perez explained in a new statement that while he had planned to work with Fox in an attempt to reach out to more voters, he is now changing course because of a new report from Jane Mayer of The New Yorker, which details a supposedly close-knit relationship between Fox News and the Trump administration. In her piece, entitled, "The Making of the Fox News White House," Mayer tracks a number of former Fox employees who went to work for the Trump White House and expounds on the president's long history with Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch.
NEW: DNC Chair Tom Perez: "Fox News will not serve as a media partner for the 2020 Democratic primary debates." pic.twitter.com/f6oSgL6y9p
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) March 6, 2019
That's a "shame," Fox News anchor Bret Baier said. He was one of several Fox personalities to express their disappointment in the DNC's decision.
That’s really a shame. When it comes to fairness - our news product speaks for itself. We will continue to cover this 2020 race fairly & will continue to invite Democrats- Republicans & Independents on to talk about key issues & substance with our very large viewing audience https://t.co/z0TdftcVmz
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) March 6, 2019
.@DNC excludes @FoxNews from hosting a Democratic debate. Considering Chris Wallace moderated a PRESIDENTIAL debate, that seems a little short-sighted
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) March 6, 2019
Our large audience deserves to hear ALL the candidates who are running for the Presidency of the United States. We welcome them all, with our continued commitment to fair, professional journalism. I hope the #DNC will reconsider this decision. https://t.co/Hhep0b2nJK
— Martha MacCallum (@marthamaccallum) March 6, 2019
Fox hosted one of the Republican primary debates in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election and, it's worth noting, the RNC partnered with a number of more liberal-leaning networks as well to host other debates.
It may just be me, but it seems an awful lot like the DNC would have jumped at any opportunity not to partner with Fox.