Overview of the Relationship Between One America News Network and Donald Trump

One America News Network (OAN), a right-wing cable news outlet, developed a notable relationship with former President Donald Trump, particularly during and after the 2020 U.S. presidential election. This connection was characterized by OAN's aggressive promotion of Trump's unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud, often airing conspiracy theories that other conservative outlets, such as Fox News, declined to broadcast. Trump, in turn, publicly endorsed OAN, praising its coverage as aligning with his narrative regarding the election results. This relationship played a significant role in amplifying disinformation surrounding the 2020 election, often referred to as "The Big Lie," which falsely asserts that the election was stolen from Trump through systemic fraud.

Evidence and Timeline of Interactions

The connection between OAN and Trump became particularly prominent in November 2020, following the election in which Trump lost to Joe Biden by over 7 million popular votes and 74 Electoral College votes. During this period, OAN broadcast numerous debunked claims, including conspiracy theories about Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, alleging without evidence that these companies manipulated election results. The network also provided a platform for figures like Mike Lindell, who promoted baseless theories of election fraud, and gave extensive coverage to the discredited Arizona "audit" of Maricopa County votes. Courts have uniformly rejected these claims, and no credible evidence of widespread fraud has been substantiated, as confirmed by Trump's own Attorney General, Bill Barr, who stated the Department of Justice found no fraud sufficient to alter the election outcome.

Trump publicly praised OAN for its coverage during this time, often highlighting the network on social media and in public statements as a favorable alternative to other media outlets. This mutual reinforcement continued into 2021, with OAN maintaining its stance on election fraud narratives even as legal challenges mounted. The network faced consequences for its reporting, including a settled defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic and being dropped by multiple cable carriers due to its dissemination of false information.

Significance to The Big Lie

The relationship between OAN and Trump was instrumental in perpetuating The Big Lie, contributing to a broader campaign of disinformation that sought to undermine trust in the 2020 election results. OAN's platform amplified Trump's false assertions, reaching audiences who might not have encountered such claims through more mainstream outlets. This dynamic played a role in the events leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, as persistent election fraud narratives fueled unrest among Trump supporters. Furthermore, the connection underscores the broader context of ongoing legal actions, including Trump's indictments by Special Counsel Jack Smith for efforts to overturn the election and by Fulton County DA Fani Willis in a RICO case related to the fake electors scheme. The OAN-Trump alliance remains a key example of how media outlets and political figures can intersect to propagate unfounded claims with significant societal impact.