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Protests Across Political Spectrum Face Similar Criticisms
Both the 'No Kings' protests and Tea Party rallies have been dismissed by mainstream media as insincere, fringe-driven, and astroturfed
Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:50pm
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A recent Fox News report on the 'No Kings' protests against government overreach drew parallels to how the mainstream media covered the Tea Party protests years ago. Both movements have been accused of lacking sincerity, being infiltrated by extremists, and being funded by shadowy organizations. However, the author argues that this 'both-sides' criticism misses the point that the political fringes have gained influence on both the left and the right.
Why it matters
This story highlights the tendency of the media and political establishment to dismiss grassroots protest movements, regardless of their ideological leanings. It raises questions about the ability of average citizens to voice dissent against those in power without being marginalized or having their motivations questioned.
The details
The Fox News report on the 'No Kings' protests claimed the movement was backed by a network of 500 groups with a combined $3 billion budget, suggesting insincerity and outside influence. This echoes how the Tea Party protests were previously dismissed as astroturfed and funded by the Koch brothers. The author argues that both sides are guilty of platforming fringe figures and failing to acknowledge the shortcomings of their own political allies, making them ill-positioned to criticize the other side.
- The 'No Kings' protests have been ongoing since 2026.
- The Tea Party protests took place in the early 2010s.
The players
Bret Baier
Host of Fox News' Special Report.
Asra Nomani
Fox Digital reporter who commented on the 'No Kings' protests.
Brit Hume
Fox News commentator who provided analysis on the 'No Kings' protests.
Jonah Goldberg
The author of the article, a political commentator.
Donald Trump
The former president whose actions have been criticized by both the 'No Kings' and Tea Party movements.
What they’re saying
“We have to count these protests as a 'great success.' After three of these No Kings marches, 'We don't have any kings … and so they've won.'”
— Brit Hume, Fox News commentator
“If a Democratic president were abusing the system comparably to how Donald Trump is, the composition of these protests, if they happened at all, would be very different. Partisanship is obviously part of the motivation, and Hume is surely correct that a major driver of these protests is anti-Trump sentiment, not a serious objection to executive power run amok.”
— Jonah Goldberg, Political commentator
The takeaway
Both the 'No Kings' protesters and the Tea Party activists have faced similar criticisms from the mainstream media, with their movements being dismissed as insincere, fringe-driven, and astroturfed. However, the author argues that this 'both-sides' criticism misses the point that the political fringes have gained influence on both the left and the right, making it difficult for either side to take the moral high ground.
