By John Q. Hosedrinker 
ProPublica found that Fox News falsely portrayed old footage from 2020 protests as current events in Portland while covering resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The network aired a segment on September 4th, using clips from July 2020 of clashes between law enforcement and protesters outside a federal courthouse, alongside footage of an American flag burning. None of the footage was accurately labeled, implying it was current and in a different location. The network later added an editor’s note clarifying that the report utilized footage from 2020 and 2025.
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Fox News Exposed Faking Its Coverage of Portland’s “Riots”
It’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Fox News, or as some might say, “Faux News,” has a history of presenting a skewed reality, and the situation with their coverage of the Portland protests is just another example. It’s like Portlanders knew this all along. The sentiment is that Portland should absolutely sue Fox News, and the sheer audacity of this kind of reporting is infuriating. The core issue is that Fox News has been, and likely continues to be, used as a tool to manufacture a narrative that benefits certain political agendas.
The central point here is the ProPublica report that revealed how Fox News fabricated the drama surrounding the Portland protests, effectively creating a distorted image of events. This was happening months before the involvement of federal forces, and it worked to create a false impression of what was happening on the ground. The report highlighted specific instances of manipulation, like using old footage and misrepresenting the timing and location of events. It’s easy to see how this kind of deception could have influenced then-President Trump’s decision to send federal agents to Portland.
One critical point is the use of old footage, deliberately presented as current, to fuel the narrative of unrest. This wasn’t a one-off mistake; it was a pattern of misrepresentation. This involved showing events that didn’t align with the time frame or the location of the report. This isn’t just a matter of journalistic error; it’s a deliberate act of disinformation. Moreover, the framing of events, such as claims that protesters were attacking federal officers when the opposite was true, further solidified this biased narrative.
And the consequences are worth noting. It isn’t just about the distortion of facts; it’s about the impact on people’s lives, and on the country as a whole. The city’s reputation, its image, and the overall perception of the events were all impacted by the manipulation of the news. The sentiment is that these actions potentially have caused significant harm to the city and its residents.
The reaction, according to the provided comments, is a mix of anger, frustration, and a sense of powerlessness. Many feel that nothing substantial ever comes from these revelations. This seems to be the common theme, and it is a frustrating problem. Even when the truth emerges, it feels like the damage is already done. This is not just a Portland problem, as several people note that it has happened in other locations and during events as well.
There’s a strong call for accountability. The suggestion that Portland should sue for a billion dollars is a reflection of the profound damage caused. The comments touch on the idea that because Fox News has previously used the “entertainment” defense, it is allowed to lie to its viewers. It is not considered News, but rather entertainment. The argument is that this kind of content is harmful and has caused demonstrable harm to the city and its populace.
The comments also reflect a deep frustration with the media landscape. The idea of a “Ministry of Truth” and the concept of a “Fairness Doctrine” resurface because of the widespread frustration with the media’s current state. The focus of the current comments shows this to be a pervasive problem in the news. The point is not about politics, but the truth, and the value of it.
Ultimately, the issue comes down to truth. Are the news outlets reporting news, or entertainment? And, if it is entertainment, who does this ultimately harm?