Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Laura Ingraham

Public opinion and media debates around Laura Ingraham—discover key moments of controversy.

Laura Ingraham is a prominent American conservative television host and commentator. She currently hosts "The Ingraham Angle" on Fox News Channel, a position she has held since October 2017. Ingraham is also the editor-in-chief of LifeZette. Before her television career, she hosted "The Laura Ingraham Show," a nationally syndicated radio program, solidifying her presence as a key figure in conservative media.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1984: Controversial articles in The Dartmouth Review

In 1984, while editor-in-chief of The Dartmouth Review, Laura Ingraham published controversial articles, including outing members of the Gay Students Association, leading to criticism and debate.

2003: Advocated for the invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Laura Ingraham advocated for the invasion of Iraq, expressing her support for military intervention.

2013: Opposition to immigration reform plan

In 2013, Laura Ingraham opposed the proposed bipartisan US Senate comprehensive immigration reform plan, expressing her anti-immigration views.

September 2014: Claim about Obama and the Ebola outbreak

In September 2014, Laura Ingraham claimed that then-President Barack Obama sent assistance to Africa during the 2014 Ebola outbreak due to guilt over "colonialism," potentially exposing Americans to the virus.

2014: Criticism of Eric Cantor and Renee Ellmers

In 2014, Laura Ingraham criticized House Majority Leader Eric Cantor for supporting the DREAM Act and GOP bill, and Republican congresswoman Renee Ellmers for supporting a comprehensive immigration bill.

2016: Considered Iraq war a mistake

During the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Laura Ingraham said she considered the Iraq war a mistake, criticizing "Bushism" as Trump ran against Jeb Bush.

September 2017: Criticism of Trump over DREAMers

In September 2017, Laura Ingraham criticized then-President Trump for considering an agreement with Democrats on amnesty for approximately 800,000 DREAMers.

February 2018: "Shut up and dribble" controversy

In February 2018, Laura Ingraham told NBA players LeBron James and Kevin Durant to "shut up and dribble" after James criticized Trump. Ingraham later cited her 2003 book "Shut Up & Sing" to defend her remarks.

February 2018: Warned Trump against supporting gun control

In February 2018, Laura Ingraham warned Donald Trump against supporting gun control after comments he made following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

March 2018: Show Boycotted After Ridiculing David Hogg

In March 2018, Laura Ingraham's show faced a boycott after she ridiculed David Hogg, a survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Advertisers left the show, though ratings later increased.

June 18, 2018: Family separation policy comments

On June 18, 2018, Laura Ingraham defended the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" family separation policy for children of illegal immigrants, comparing the children's facilities to "summer camps".

July 2018: Criticism of Kevin Yoder

In July 2018, Laura Ingraham criticized Republican congressman Kevin Yoder for supporting a Democratic bill that rolled back Attorney General Jeff Sessions' order regarding asylum seekers, accusing him of "selling out the Trump agenda".

August 9, 2018: Ingraham Angle Monologue

On August 9, 2018, during her Ingraham Angle monologue, Laura Ingraham clarified that her previous comments were not about race or ethnicity but about American citizenship and respect for the rule of law.

August 2018: Comments on demographic changes

In August 2018, Laura Ingraham stated that "some parts of the country it does seem like the America we know and love doesn't exist anymore" due to massive demographic changes, sparking controversy.

October 2018: Companies Continued to Shun Ingraham's Show

As of October 2018, despite increased ratings, companies were continuing to shun Laura Ingraham's show following the boycott that began in March.

October 2018: Urging audience to vote Republican

In October 2018, Laura Ingraham urged her audience to vote Republican in the upcoming midterm elections, claiming Democrats want to replace American voters with newly amnestied citizens.

May 2019: Graphic of censored voices on social media

In May 2019, Laura Ingraham showed a graphic on her show of "prominent voices censored on social media," including individuals known for anti-Semitic remarks, sparking controversy.

June 2019: Dismissed Reports of Trump Delaying D-Day Commemoration

In June 2019, Laura Ingraham dismissed reports that Donald Trump delayed his participation in D-Day commemoration activities to sit for an interview with her as 'patently false—fake news'.

June 2019: Claims about asylum seekers carrying Ebola

In June 2019, Laura Ingraham spread unsubstantiated claims that asylum seekers to the United States may carry the Ebola virus, causing public alarm and criticism.

May 2020: Criticized Face Mask Requirements

In May 2020, Laura Ingraham criticized the requirements for people to wear face masks in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

June 15, 2020: FDA Revoked Emergency Approval of Hydroxychloroquine

On June 15, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration revoked the Emergency Approval of hydroxychloroquine due to studies showing potential benefits did not outweigh the risks. Laura Ingraham had previously promoted the drug as a treatment for COVID-19.

October 2020: Spread misinformation about New Zealand's pandemic response

In October 2020, Laura Ingraham and her guest Victor Davis Hanson spread misinformation about New Zealand's response to the pandemic on her show, referring to managed isolation facilities as "camps".

2020: Support of Drew Brees' Statements

In 2020, Laura Ingraham was criticized for supporting Drew Brees, a white athlete, who criticized protesters who kneeled during the U.S. national anthem. Previously Ingraham had told African-American atheletes to "shut up and dribble" when they were making similar statements.

January 6, 2021: Advanced Antifa Conspiracy Theory Following Capitol Attack

Following the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Laura Ingraham promoted the conspiracy theory that people associated with antifa were responsible and downplayed Trump supporter involvement that evening on Ingraham Angle.

July 27, 2021: Ridiculed Capitol Police after their Testimony

On July 27, 2021, Laura Ingraham ridiculed four members of the Capitol Police and D.C. Police after they testified to House lawmakers regarding the January 6th insurrection.

2021: Suggested getting rid of unemployment benefits

In 2021, Laura Ingraham suggested getting rid of unemployment benefits for people capable of work, sparking debate about economic policy.

September 2022: Criticism of Biden's student loan forgiveness program

In September 2022, Laura Ingraham criticized the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness program, mentioning that her mother worked until she was 73 to pay for Ingraham's loans, leading to public scrutiny.

2022: Criticized Justice Department and FBI over Mar-a-Lago search

In 2022, Laura Ingraham criticized the Justice Department and FBI for the search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, but hinted at Republican voters potentially supporting a different candidate in 2024.

2024: Suggested Republicans might back a different presidential candidate

In 2022, Laura Ingraham suggested Republican voters might 'turn the page' and back another 2024 presidential candidate 'if we can get someone who has all Trump's policies, who's not Trump'.