Johnson Says Media Coverage of Democrats Is Undercutting GOP Midterm Messaging

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said Wednesday that mainstream media coverage of the Democratic Party is complicating Republican efforts to sell voters on the economy ahead of the midterms, arguing outlets are pushing a “false narrative” about Democrats that drowns out GOP messaging.

Johnson made the comments during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.” Host Laura Ingraham pressed him on why Republicans have struggled to go on offense about economic conditions under the Trump administration, noting frustration among GOP voters over the party’s approach.

“Everyone’s upset about gas prices. We understand that that’s temporary, but the reindustrialization, the rising wages, the best time ever The Wall Street Journal said for men and women without college degrees in the workforce. I mean, the good news is there for people to talk about, but it’s kind of been more of a defensive strategy instead of an offensive strategy. Does that change tonight?” Ingraham asked.

Johnson responded by pointing to what he called media obstruction of the party’s message.

“We have a lot of headwinds because the mainstream media, of course, is running with the false narrative of the Democrats every single day. And on Capitol Hill, we put out the facts over and over, and they obscure those,” Johnson said.

He argued Republicans have a strong economic record to campaign on, citing wage growth of more than 3 percent since President Trump took office and a million private-sector jobs added to the economy.

“We’re shrinking government and growing the private sector and the free market. That is what helps all hardworking American families. Biggest tax cuts in U.S. history. Biggest spending cuts in U.S. history as well. People feel the effects of that,” Johnson said.

Johnson framed the midterms as a choice about the country’s direction, saying Republicans need to maintain their current course.

“We have greater and brighter days ahead. We have to keep going on the trajectory we were on and not turn the keys over to a bunch of communists because that is the question right now on the ballot,” he said.