Fox News Took a Surprising Stand Against Donald Trump

Donald Trump berated CNN's Jim Acosta during his first press conference in six months. Describing CNN as "fake news," Trump refused to take Acosta's question since CNN reported on unverified reports that purported to show his relationship with Russia throughout the presidential campaign and that Russia had damaging information about him.

In a surprising display of allegiance, the traditionally conservative Fox News host Shepard Smith defended the rival network on his show. Smith ended his show by declaring Trump's behavior belittling. "Though we cannot confirm CNN's report, it is our observation that its correspondents followed journalistic standards," Smith said. "Neither they nor any other journalists should be subjected to such belittling and delegitimizing by the president-elect of the United States."

Here's what Shep had to say about @realDonaldTrump 's criticism of the media #TrumpPressConference pic.twitter.com/92umEbMjD3

— Shepard Smith (@ShepNewsTeam) January 11, 2017

It was quite a departure from Fox's position of supporting the president-elect. Obviously, Trump's reluctance to consider opinions he either dislikes or deems untrue is dangerous, but it's particularly dangerous for journalists whose job is to deliver facts. Trump has already refused to travel with a press pool or hold regular press conferences as is typical of both presidents and incoming presidents.

If Trump's behavior toward journalists on the campaign trail is any indication of how he will behave as president, it will only get worse.