The Shady Side of Fox News’ Steve Doocy: Behind the Smile of a Morning Show Mainstay

Steve Doocy has long been a familiar face in American households. As the affable co-host of Fox & Friends, Doocy’s cheerful demeanor, Midwestern sensibility, and fatherly charm have made him a staple of morning cable news for over two decades. But behind the ever-present grin and easygoing banter lies a more complicated figure — one whose career has not been without controversy, personal entanglements, and allegations that have left lasting stains on his otherwise polished persona.

In May 2025, Doocy made headlines when he announced his move to Florida and his decision to scale back from his full-time hosting duties. Framing it as a well-earned lifestyle change, Doocy insisted he was not leaving Fox & Friends entirely and would still be on-air three days a week — broadcasting from the Sunshine State and other lesser-covered parts of America. But while many viewers applauded the move as a deserved semi-retirement, others took the opportunity to revisit the more questionable chapters of his public life.

Because, for all of Doocy’s folksy charm and cookbook promotions, there are some uncomfortable truths about his professional conduct, family ties, and media influence that are harder to ignore — and in some cases, even harder to defend.

The Gretchen Carlson Lawsuit: Allegations of a Hostile Environment

Perhaps the most serious accusation in Doocy’s career came not from critics or competitors — but from inside Fox News itself. In 2016, former Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson filed a bombshell lawsuit against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, accusing him of sexual harassment and wrongful termination. But buried in the explosive legal complaint was another troubling detail: Carlson alleged that Steve Doocy created a “hostile work environment” through sexist and condescending behavior.

According to court documents, Carlson said Doocy routinely undermined her, dismissed her input on-air, and minimized her contributions to the show. She claimed that when she raised concerns to Ailes, he not only ignored them but labeled her a “man hater” and advised her to “learn to get along with the boys.”

While Ailes (who was later ousted from Fox and died in 2017) denied the allegations, and Doocy never publicly responded, the shadow of the lawsuit still lingers. The network ultimately paid Carlson a $20 million settlement — a move widely interpreted as tacit acknowledgment that her claims had merit. As for Doocy, his silence spoke volumes. He kept his job. He kept his seat. But the episode cracked the veneer of his friendly, morning-news persona.

Family First—Even If It Gets Political

Doocy’s most ardent defenders often point to his image as a devoted father and husband. But that very closeness has sparked criticism about blurred lines between personal loyalty and professional ethics — particularly when it comes to his daughter, Mary Doocy.

In his 2025 book All the President’s Money, Republican Congressman James Comer accused the Doocy family of weaponizing Fox News coverage against him after a classified disagreement involving Mary, who works as an attorney for the FBI. Comer claimed that after a confrontation over redacted documents tied to the Biden investigation, both Steve and his son Peter Doocy — Fox’s White House correspondent — began airing suspiciously targeted criticisms against him.

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence,” Comer wrote, “but her father, Steve Doocy, and her brother, Peter, became my biggest critics on Fox News — and they didn’t let up, on or off camera.”

Fox News dismissed the accusations as “off base and insulting,” asserting that neither Steve nor Peter knew of the alleged incident before Comer’s book excerpt surfaced. Still, the implication was clear: don’t mess with the Doocys — especially when they hold the microphone.

Nepotism in the Newsroom?

Steve Doocy’s son Peter has carved out a prominent position for himself at Fox News — but critics say he had a serious head start thanks to his last name.

Peter joined the network as a general assignment reporter in 2009, shortly after graduating college. His father, already a powerful figure at Fox, was reportedly instrumental in helping him land the role. Since then, Peter has risen rapidly through the ranks, becoming the network’s senior White House correspondent in 2024 at just 36 years old.

While Peter has proven himself to be an assertive (and sometimes combative) reporter, especially in White House briefings, accusations of nepotism continue to follow him — and by extension, his father.

In a joint 2018 interview, Peter acknowledged the depth of their personal and professional bond. “He’s always there to make sure I have everything I need,” Peter said. “He’s put me in the best position to do well.”

While that statement may have been intended as gratitude, critics took it as confirmation that Steve’s influence shaped — and arguably boosted — his son’s career beyond what merit alone might have achieved.

Trump’s Favorite… Until He Wasn’t

Steve Doocy has enjoyed a long, mutually beneficial relationship with former President Donald Trump. For years, Trump regularly called in to Fox & Friends for extended interviews and often singled out Doocy for praise.

“You’ve always treated me fairly,” Trump said in a farewell video after Doocy announced his partial departure from the show. “Sometimes a little more fairly than others, but that’s okay.”

But that relationship hasn’t always been rosy.

In 2022, Doocy raised eyebrows when he challenged Trump on-air over his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. He questioned the former president’s decision to store sensitive material improperly — a rare moment of confrontation from someone usually seen as part of Trump’s media echo chamber.

More recently, in April 2025, Doocy publicly criticized Trump’s economic policy, specifically the impact of tariffs on American small businesses. “Half of the tariffs are being paid by Americans,” Doocy said during a fiery segment on Fox & Friends.

To some, the pushback signaled journalistic integrity. To others, it smacked of inconsistency — a newsman who’s fair-weather when it suits him, loyal when convenient, and critical only when safe.

The Smiling Enigma of Fox News

So who is the real Steve Doocy?

To fans, he’s the dad-next-door — warm, trustworthy, and unshakably calm. To his critics, he’s a legacy insider who’s benefitted from privilege, protected by silence, and occasionally guilty of playing both sides.

His career is a fascinating case study in how charm, access, and strategic discretion can take you far in media — and keep you there, even when the headlines turn sour.

As he settles into his semi-retirement in Florida, reporting “from parts of America that don’t get network airtime,” perhaps Steve Doocy will finally step out of the shadows that have followed him for years. Or perhaps, he’ll continue to smile through the storm — just like always.