The hosts over at Fox & Friends were fact-checked after demonstrating their lack of understanding of the Department of Education's role.
During Monday morning's program, Fox hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, and Lawrence Jones discussed President-elect Donald Trump's recent appointment of former WWE CEO Linda McMahon to the Department of Education.
Doocy mentioned McMahon's controversial proposals for reshaping the education system, which Trump would enthusiastically support despite his previous desire to abolish the department altogether.
The host mentioned that McMahon, a chairwoman of the pro-MAGA America First Action, would help stop schools from "promoting inaccurate and unpatriotic concepts from history" and expand voucher programs for parents, concepts that Doocy said would be a "win" for Trump.
Kilmeade chimed in suggesting that schools should focus more on the upcoming 250th birthday of America in 2026 instead of promoting the 1619 Project curriculum in classrooms.
The controversial curriculum was created by the Pulitzer Center, inspired by the New York Times publishing a series of guides and essays, called "The 1619 Project," honoring the legacy of American history based on when the first enslaved Africans landed on American soil.
GOP politicians have repeatedly denounced its incorporation into K-12 schools and colleges, with Trump calling it "toxic propaganda," while Democrats saw it as an important way to introduce and educate students about educational inequities.
Kilmeade insisted America's 250th birthday was "more important" and that Washington should include it in the curriculum because Trump "is gonna salute it."
Earhardt put in her two cents, saying the Education Department should "go through the curriculum so it's not too woke," and make sure kids are learning about math instead of teaching them "too early about sex and transitioning."
A clip shared on X (formerly Twitter) by propaganda debunking site Decoding Fox News intercut the Fox & Friends discussion with some fact-checking from ABC News Baltimore.
"So, the Department of Education has nothing to do with the curriculum," said an expert on the topic, adding:
"It's actually against the law for the federal government to mandate anything with an individual school's curriculum."
The caption for the video reinforced the fact that the Education Department does not have direct control over schools.
"The folks on Fox & Friends don’t seem to know that the Dept. of Ed has nothing to do with curriculum in public schools. It’s actually illegal for the Dept. of Ed to mandate curriculum," read the post.
The Secretary of Education does not manage schools but serves as an advisor to the President.
The role also includes ensuring that federal funds are distributed as intended and policymakers are provided with needed research resources.
According to U.S. Department of Education, the official duties of the department include:
"Establishing policies on federal financial aid for education and distribution as well as monitoring those funds."
"Collecting data on U.S. schools and disseminating research."
"Focusing national attention on key educational issues."
"Prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equal access to education."
Social media users collectively gave Fox the eye roll for their misinformed ramblings on the topic of education.
Is it all a ruse?
Some found Jones' silent complicity unsettling to watch.
@decodingfoxnews/Instagram
@decodingfoxnews/Instagram
During Trump's first administration, McMahon served as administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Trump appointed McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education on November 19, 2024.
Like many of his cabinet picks, McMahon has little direct experience in the field but is a close ally of the incoming President.
@PreetBharara/X
@RepBrendanBoyle/X
@twesq/Bluesky
@christopherharris/Bluesky
@evangelinewarren/X
@FrankC164/X
AMC