In recent months, according to two people familiar with the matter, the twice-impeached ex-president has routinely obsessed over Fox’s coverage of him versus his potential Republican primary rivals. That obsession kicks up a notch when it comes to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. One source recalled Trump suddenly dropping into conversation a question regarding how much Fox News airtime DeSantis had enjoyed lately.

In private discussions, Trump has cataloged which major on-air personalities, hosts, and shows he views as steadfastly all-in “for Trump,” which ones he sees as possibly defecting, and which he deems “against Trump.” For instance, Trump views Sean Hannity as firmly in his column, and has expressed some doubt about which camp Laura Ingraham might end up in come 2024. Per usual, the former president has also asked certain confidants for their opinions on which Fox News regulars and right-wing media stars might be jumping ship from Team Trump.

Trump, the sources add, is pushing a familiar argument for why he thinks Fox and the rest of Ruper Murdoch’s media empire will never truly abandon him: ratings. Trump of late “says that Fox watchers love him and that he is ‘better’ for ratings than any other Republican right now — including DeSantis — and if the Murdochs are smart, they won’t ditch him,” one of the people familiar with the matter tells Rolling Stone.