Blog 13: Trump Nominates Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel: FoxNews vs. CNN

In this week’s blog, I found Trump’s nominations for positions to be worth mentioning and discussing. He recently nominated Mike Huckabee as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. There is much debate and controversy as to if Huckabee is best-suited for such a task considering our current relationship with Israel. What do you think about his previous statements and is he fit to take on such a role? Let’s dive into what FoxNews says about this nomination, in contrast to what CNN has to say…

The FoxNews article,Trump nominates Mike Huckabee for US ambassador to Israel | Fox News, takes a much more positive side on Huckabee’s nomination, emphasizing his long standing support for Israel and his commitment to strengthening the U.S. and Israel ties. Huckabee is presented as a "strong Israel supporter" and a "dear friend" of Israel, and the article underscores his history of leading tours to Israel and defending Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The mention of Huckabee's 2008 remark "there's no such thing as a Palestinian" is buried within a list of details, without more of an exploration or analysis into the implications of his views. The focus is more on Huckabee's personal qualifications and relationship with Israel, with quotes from his daughter and other figures like former Ambassador David Friedman praising his nomination. For example, "Sanders said she was "unbelievably proud" to learn that her father was nominated to serve in the Trump administration. “I went to Israel for the first time with my dad when I was eleven and it changed my life. There is no one President Trump could have picked with a greater love for the Israeli people and commitment to the unbreakable bond between America and Israel than him," she posted on X. "Love you dad!" (Pandolfo, 2024). The tone is celebratory, with Huckabee portrayed as an ideal candidate for the role due to his deep commitment to Israel.

The CNN article, Mike Huckabee once said that ‘there’s really no such thing as a Palestinian’ | CNN Politics,  highlights Huckabee’s controversial statements about Palestinians, particularly his 2008 assertion that there was "no such thing as a Palestinian." This is emphasized with direct quotes, such as Huckabee calling the Palestinian identity a "political tool" to "try and force land away from Israel." The article gives context to these remarks by referencing Huckabee's opposition to a Palestinian state within Israel’s borders. CNN also suggests that Huckabee’s views are problematic, especially in the context of his nomination as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. CNN also includes a note about how Huckabee’s stance on Palestinian statehood was deemed "irrational and unworkable" in a 2015 interview, framing these as controversial opinions that may not align with broader international perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most of the article focuses on the potential diplomatic implications of Huckabee’s past comments, questioning whether his nomination might signal a shift in U.S. policy towards Israel and Palestine.

Youtube video that covers this: Trump taps Mike Huckabee to be US ambassador to Israel

The key differences in the biased remarks between the two channels covering this topic are the framing of Huckabee’s views, the focus on his relationship with Israel, and the tone included in both articles. CNN is critical, presenting Huckabee’s statements on Palestinians in a way that shows scrutiny on his suitability for the ambassadorship, especially given some of his past remarks. Fox News, on the other hand, minimizes the potential controversy around Huckabee's views, focusing instead on his long standing support for Israel and his qualifications for the position. The mention of his stance on Palestinians is more neutral, with little examination on what he has said. CNN presents Huckabee in a more critical light, highlighting potential concerns about his diplomatic approach. Fox News has a more positive tone, positioning Huckabee as a dedicated ally of Israel and focusing on the support he has from key figures in the Israeli government and Trump administration.