President Donald Trump recently stated that Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show experienced a decline in popularity following the radio host’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election. While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed surprise at the current status of Stern’s show, questioning whether the host had been “terminated.”
Trump’s comments came after a discussion with Real America’s Voice correspondent Brian Glenn about potential salary disputes between Stern and SiriusXM. “You know when he went down? When he endorsed Hillary Clinton,” Trump claimed. “He lost his audience. People said, ‘Give me a break.’”
As Stern’s five-year, $500 million contract with SiriusXM approaches its conclusion, uncertainty surrounds his future in broadcasting. According to the US Sun, he is contemplating a short-term contract or possibly retirement. Stern announced that he would return to his regular schedule on September 2, 2024, after a brief hiatus, but he did not provide clarity about his long-term plans.
The current iteration of Stern’s show began in 2006 and was renewed by SiriusXM in 2020. At its peak, the program attracted around 20 million daily listeners. Trump and Stern previously enjoyed a close friendship, attending each other’s weddings and maintaining regular communication. However, their relationship soured after Stern endorsed Clinton for president.
In June 2022, Stern expressed a desire to run for president if Trump were to secure the Republican nomination in 2024, stating, “I’ll beat his ass.” This sentiment added tension to their already strained relationship. During the lead-up to the general election on November 5, 2024, Stern was one of the few media personalities to interview then-Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
Trump criticized Stern’s interview with Harris, alleging that he asked “softball questions.” In a post on Truth Social, he described Stern as a “BETA MALE” and accused him of making a “fool” of himself. Trump expressed frustration over Stern’s endorsement of Harris, remarking, “I don’t even understand how this election is close. Why do my fellow Americans want this kind of chaos overseas?”
As the political landscape continues to evolve, both Trump’s and Stern’s roles within it are under scrutiny, with their past friendship now a topic of significant interest. The developments surrounding Stern’s show and his political endorsements will likely remain a focal point as the 2024 election approaches.
