Fox News anchor Chris Wallace accused some Democrats of having “Fox derangement syndrome” after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) banned the network from hosting any Democratic primary debates.
DNC Chairman Tom Perez announced the ban Wednesday in response to a report from the New Yorker claiming the cable news network has become a propaganda outlet with a too-cozy relationship with President Donald Trump and his administration. (RELATED: DNC Won’t Allow Fox News To Host Dem Primary Debate)
“Recent reporting in the New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and Fox News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to host a fair and neutral debate for our candidates,” Perez said in a statement. “Therefore, Fox News will not serve as a media partner for the 2020 Democratic primary debates.”
Several of the network’s anchors weighed in on the ban and pointed out that Fox News’ Chris Wallace moderated a 2016 presidential debate during the general election.
Wallace responded to the news himself on Fox News Radio with Brian Kilmeade on Thursday and did not hold back his feelings about Democrats who support the decision.
“You know how we talk about ‘Trump derangement syndrome,’ or [similar obsession with] Obama? I think that, in the left wing of the Democratic Party, there is ‘Fox derangement syndrome,'” Wallace asserted.
Wallace added that he thinks the New Yorker article is just an excuse to bow out of a good debate with any of the network’s news anchors, including Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
“There are going to be a lot of people that would watch a Fox debate,” Wallace said.
Fox’s Senior Vice President Bill Sammon released the following statement on behalf of the network Wednesday:
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.