The Controversial Rise of Harris Faulkner: Lawsuits, Misinformation, and a Crumbling Image

Harris Faulkner, a prominent anchor at Fox News and host of The Faulkner Focus, has long branded herself as a fierce conservative voice and a devout Christian. Known for her poise, composure, and commanding presence on air, she has built a reputation as a pillar of right-wing media. But behind the clean-cut exterior lies a trail of controversies that are slowly unraveling her carefully curated public image.

From a bizarre lawsuit involving a plastic hamster to unverified personal anecdotes and widely criticized misinformation, Faulkner’s career has taken a turn toward sensationalism—leaving some viewers disillusioned and others questioning her credibility. As her visibility within Fox News grows, so too does the scrutiny.

The Toy Hamster Lawsuit: A Legal Oddity

In 2015, Faulkner shocked the media world when she filed a lawsuit against Hasbro, the toy manufacturing giant, over what she described as a gross misuse of her identity. The target of the lawsuit? A small plastic hamster toy, part of Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop line, that happened to bear the name “Harris Faulkner.”

Though the toy was not modeled after the Fox News anchor in any discernible way, Faulkner alleged that the company had “willfully and wrongfully appropriated her name and persona” for profit. She sought $5 million in damages and emphasized that the name “Harris Faulkner” was distinctive and tied directly to her personal brand.

Hasbro initially dismissed the claim, arguing the toy bore no resemblance to the television personality and that the naming was purely coincidental. But the case didn’t go away quietly. In 2016, the two parties reached a confidential settlement. While the financial terms were never disclosed, Faulkner claimed victory—demonstrating her determination to protect her image at all costs.

Critics, however, questioned the motivations behind the lawsuit. Was this really about brand protection, or was it an overreach? The case became an early warning sign of how seriously Faulkner takes her public identity—sometimes, arguably, to a fault.

The “Praying in Public” Story That Sparked Doubt

Fast forward to June 2023, and Faulkner once again ignited controversy—this time with a deeply personal anecdote that seemed tailor-made for her conservative audience.

While guest-hosting Fox News Tonight, Faulkner delivered a monologue extolling faith and religious courage. She described an incident in which she was allegedly kicked out of a restaurant for praying over her meal.

“When you gather in public spaces, pray thankfully over your food,” she told viewers. “Even when the server gives you the stink-eye or tells a manager that your peaceful grace is triggering them.”

The story immediately went viral. Conservative viewers praised her courage, while religious liberty advocates cited the alleged incident as proof of rising hostility toward Christian expression.

But the celebration didn’t last long.

Faulkner provided no name of the restaurant, no location, no date—nothing that could independently verify the story. As skepticism mounted, prominent voices began speaking out. Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger took to social media to call the story into question: “Why don’t we have the name of this restaurant and when it happened?”

Others noted the timing. Faulkner’s anecdote surfaced just as Fox News was navigating internal turmoil following Tucker Carlson’s firing. Some speculated the story was engineered to appeal to Carlson’s displaced audience and secure her a more permanent prime-time slot.

Faulkner never followed up with additional details, leaving a cloud of doubt over the entire incident. To critics, it appeared to be a carefully crafted narrative designed to stoke outrage rather than report reality.

Spanish Flu Missteps: A History Lesson Gone Wrong

That same month, Faulkner found herself embroiled in yet another controversy—this time involving factual inaccuracies about one of history’s deadliest pandemics.

While discussing COVID-19 and related government mandates, Faulkner claimed that during the 1918 Spanish flu, schools remained open and society “pressed on” without shutting down. “We did sacrifice. We suffered, but then we pressed on,” she said.

The comment was swiftly picked apart by historians and public health experts. In fact, numerous schools across the United States did close during the Spanish flu, as cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and New York implemented quarantines and public health restrictions.

Fact-checkers highlighted the falsehood, and Faulkner was forced to respond. She later tweeted that she was referring to the “first wave” of Spanish flu and that COVID-19’s school closures were broader and “epic” in scale. But the damage had already been done.

Her clarification was seen as both vague and defensive. More importantly, it spotlighted a growing pattern: Faulkner’s tendency to present sweeping opinions as fact, with little concern for historical accuracy. For a journalist with her platform, such errors are more than embarrassing—they’re damaging.

The Cracks in the Faulkner Persona

Taken individually, these incidents might be brushed off as isolated missteps. But together, they suggest a deeper problem—one that threatens the credibility of a once-respected broadcaster.

Faulkner has long framed herself as a truth-teller, someone unafraid to speak boldly in defense of faith, family, and freedom. Yet in recent years, her brand has come to rely increasingly on personal narratives that are impossible to verify and political commentary that strays from journalistic rigor.

Some former fans are taking notice.

“Her stories used to feel grounded and sincere,” one viewer posted on social media. “Now it’s like she’s trying to play a character instead of report the news.”

Others have expressed concern that Faulkner is pivoting toward a more Tucker Carlson–esque style of commentary—where emotional appeal outweighs evidence, and culture war flashpoints take precedence over factual reporting.

As one media analyst put it, “She’s no longer anchoring the news—she’s anchoring a narrative.”

A Career at a Crossroads

There’s no denying Harris Faulkner’s influence in conservative media. She’s an Emmy-winning anchor, a bestselling author, and a recognizable face to millions. But with each controversy, her image becomes more polarizing—and the line between journalist and pundit grows blurrier.

Supporters continue to rally behind her, praising her strength and devotion to Christian values. But critics argue that Faulkner’s recent trajectory reveals a troubling willingness to distort or embellish in the name of political theater.

In the hyper-partisan world of cable news, such behavior may be rewarded with ratings and loyalty—but it comes at a cost.

Conclusion: Integrity or Influence?

Harris Faulkner’s career tells a compelling story of ambition, conviction, and resilience. But as she moves deeper into the spotlight, the choices she makes will determine whether her legacy is one of integrity—or of influence gained at the expense of truth.

The plastic hamster lawsuit, the suspicious restaurant tale, and the historical missteps may seem like minor infractions. But in a media landscape starved for trust, even small cracks can turn into chasms.

For now, Harris Faulkner remains one of Fox News’ most watched and most controversial figures. Whether she continues to rise—or eventually unravels under the weight of her own narratives—remains to be seen.