Dr Phil faces 'total collapse' after MAGA alignment backfires massively: report

Source: Raw Story

October 14, 2025 7:26AM ET


Dr. Phil McGraw's attempt to transition from daytime television personality to a politically aligned media mogul during Donald Trump's second presidential term has been marked by spectacular failure and financial turmoil, according to a new report.

Since the start of Trump's presidency, ex-psychologist and famed TV doctor McGraw positioned himself as an active participant in the administration. He became a firsthand witness to ICE raids, a critic of protests, and an ever-present volunteer for the executive branch — attending events like RFK Jr.'s swearing-in and appearing with Trump after the Texas flooding.

But his media venture, Merit Street Media, launched in 2024 with grand ambitions and alignment with MAGA media, has been crumbling since, Slate reported Tuesday. McGraw declared at the time, "American families and our core values are under attack. Together we are going to stand strong and fight for the very soul and sanity of America." However, the network quickly unraveled. Within months of launching, Merit Street Media experienced multiple setbacks.

Dozens of employees have been laid off as it averaged just 27,000 weekly viewers, broadcasting partnerships floundered and, in July, it filed for bankruptcy. It also got hit by a lawsuit from distributor Trinity Broadcasting Network accusing McGraw of fraud and misrepresentation, Slate reported. "A total collapse finally kicked off this summer," Slate reported. "In late June, Dr. Phil Primetime went on another “summer hiatus,” and 40 more Merit Street Media staffers were laid off."

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/dr-phil-trump/