Fox & Friends kicks off live on USC's campus

Fans of "Fox & Friends" showed up on USC's campus Friday morning to observe President Trump's favorite morning show and to show off the university.

"It's an exciting opportunity for us to represent the university on a national scale," said Katelyn Barber, a sophomore marketing major and a member of the school's dance team who showed up at Davis Field, where Fox & Friends is hosting its Friday show.

Also in the crowd is Cocky, University of South Carolina cheerleaders and about 100 other people.

The W.J. Keenan High School band also is performing. Among the songs it played was "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder.

The crowd held up several signs, including one that said, "Welcome back Ainsley. #usc #gogamecocks." Another touted "Fox and Friends."

Ainsley Earhardt of Fox News, a USC and Spring Valley High School graduate, is co-hosting the show from the Carolina campus.

A group of college Republicans and Democrats chatted near the set before appearing live on a student panel led by Earhardt.

Rachel Kalles, a senior political science major and a member of College Democrats, said she volunteered for the panel. She said she wasn't concerned about appearing a show known for its conservative views.

"If it wasn't a South Carolina alum, we would feel a little more like we were going into the lions den," Kalles said.

Brendan Sullivan, second vice chair of the College Republicans, said he doesn't usually watch Fox & Friends because it's on so early in the morning. But he does watch Fox News.

"Since I"m a conservative, it's my go-to," Sullivan said. "But I try to watch CNN and other news sources to get diversity of opinion."

He said he's interested in foreign policy and doesn't like "identity politics," where people feel they have to line up with a certain group.

Also in the audience was Jesse Grossman, a 2016 USC graduate who lives in West Columbia. He said he's "a big fan" of the show and watches it every day.

USC senior Kevin Fries, who works for Fox News as a campus ambassador, interned with Fox & Friends last summer. He said the idea of bringing the show to USC came from Fox News. The university was approached about two months ago.

"Fox & Friends" will air from 6 to 9 a.m. in front of the Thomas Cooper Library.

The conservative show will feature three Republicans — U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy of Spartanburg, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Gov. Henry McMaster — as guests.

Earhardt aired a tour of the USC campus that included Williams-Brice Stadium, the Horseshoe and other areas.

"Fox & Friends" has attracted controversy over accusations it is too close to President Trump, with critics pointing out how the commander-in-chief’s tweets frequently line up with the content and viewpoints expressed by the show’s hosts.

This story was originally published April 27, 2018 at 6:17 AM with the headline "Fox & Friends kicks off live on USC's campus."