The Fox News host calls Trump the “greatest political phoenix rising from the ashes” in US political history

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Fox News host Bret Baier praised Donald Trump as “the greatest political phoenix from the ashes” in the history of US politics after the former president appeared to take a strong lead early on election night.

Although a large number of votes in crucial swing states have yet to be counted, Baier made the bold claim live on Tuesday night, noting that Trump's path to the White House is becoming “clearer.”

“We’re not there yet,” said Baier. “We don’t name these states. We'll wait and see how these raw vote numbers pan out. But you’d rather be him.”

As of 1:40 a.m. ET, Trump led Harris 247 to 210 in the electoral votes after claiming two key swing states, North Carolina and Georgia.

“The path is now clearer for him,” said Baier.

Referring to the events of January 6, 2021, when then-President Trump sent a mob to the Capitol to prevent the transfer of power to Joe Biden, the 2020 election winner, Baier added: “Even though he is here at this moment , from …”January 7, 2021, so far – is probably the greatest political phoenix from the ashes we have ever seen in the history of politics.”

Fox has consistently reported positively on Trump throughout the 2024 cycle. Baier's fellow commentator Brit Hume agreed with his assessment, praising the former president and his apparent comeback.

“I remember sitting there in the days after January 6th, I think with you, Bret, and I said, 'This guy, Trump, he's radioactive.' The Republicans have turned against him. They want to get rid of him. He's a hindrance, he's a problem,'” he said.

“And I thought, I didn’t think a political comeback from him was possible. And yet here we are. He's the toughest guy I've ever seen. I mean, everything he threw at him? I would be in a mental asylum!”

Jesse Watters added that if Trump wins, the media and his political rivals will have to respond accordingly.

“It's up to the Democrats and the media to determine what their attitude will be toward a seemingly very popular president who won the biggest upset victory, followed by the most contentious election, followed by the biggest comeback victory we've ever seen “,” he said.