'Fox & Friends' Praises Kim Jong Un: 'He's Quite the Romantic'

The set of “Fox & Friends” had some kind words on Thursday for Kim Jong Un, calling the North Korean dictator “quite the romantic” while running a series of propaganda images of Kim touring around his country.

“Turns out Kim Jong Un is quite the romantic,” said Jillian Mele in a news brief.

“The North Korean dictator taking his wife on a tour of a fish pickling factory. State media releasing the photo to showcase what the rogue regime considers its economic strength,” she continued. “They did the same thing in 2014 when Kim visited a lubricant factory and when he visited a plant that makes potato starch.”

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The story — which was openly sourced to the country’s “state media” — elicited some light banter from the group of regulars.

“The softer side of the dictator,” co-host Steve Doocy said. “He’s smiling.”

“Very romantic,” co-host Ainsley Earhardt said.

Also Read: 'Fox & Friends' Turns on Trump After Helsinki Press Conference: 'He Fell Short'

Brian Kilmeade went further, reminding viewers that the images showed Kim out among the people and not with missiles.

“The last couple of times you’ve seen him it’s been out with the people, talking manufacturing,” the co-host said. “Not with the missiles.”

CNN also covered Kim’s new propaganda photos — though with considerably less fawning. A rep for Fox News did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap.

Also Read: 'Fox & Friends' Trashes Trump's Supreme Court Pick: 'The Swamp Wanted Judge Kavanaugh'

The portrayal by “Fox & Friends” is different from the actual record of Kim, who presides over the world’s most closed and repressive police states. International organizations and agencies have repeatedly condemned human rights violations in the country.

“Under the rule of Kim Jong-Un, North Korea remains among the world’s most repressive countries. The government sharply curtails all basic liberties, including freedom of expression, religion and conscience, assembly, and association. It prohibits political opposition, independent media, civil society, or trade unions,” reads a description from Human Rights Watch.

“A 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry found that the government committed gross, systematic and widespread rights abuses, including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence.”

The Evolution of Roger Ailes, From 'The Mike Douglas Show' to Fox News Innovator (Photos)

The television executive has evolved from producing a talk-variety show to running one of the biggest satellite news television channel in the U.S.
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Born and raised in Ohio, Roger Ailes attended Ohio University as a young man, majoring in radio and television. During his time there, he served as station manager for the university's WOUB radio for two years.
Ohio University
Ailes worked his way up to executive producer on the syndicated daytime talk show "The Mike Douglas Show," which began as a local program in Cleveland before expanding nationwide.
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In 1968, Ailes got an Emmy nod when "The Mike Douglas Show" was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming, ultimately losing to NBC's "Today" show.
After first meeting Richard Nixon on the set of "The Mike Douglas Show," Ailes was hired by the then-presidential candidate to be his media advisor during the campaign, which marked his first professional foray into politics.
Ailes continued consulting on presidential campaigns, serving as media consultant for three successful Republicans: Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Ailes produced the famous "revolving door" ad for Bush, which painted Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis as soft on crime. The piece was widely regarded as the most influential ad of the political cycle.
In 1988, Ailes co-authored a self-help book with Jon Kraushar. "You Are the Message" shared Ailes' tips for effective communication and public performances.
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In 1992, Ailes served as executive producer on a syndicated late-night talk show hosted by right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh, which ran for four years before coming to an end in 1996.
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Ailes was named president of CNBC in 1993, where he launched the new cable network America's Talking, which was shut down and replaced with future Fox News competitor MSNBC.
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Media mogul Rupert Murdoch hired Ailes to serve as founding CEO and Chariman of the Fox News Channel in 1996, which soon grew to become the most popular cable news network in the country.
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In 2016, Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by ousted Fox News host Gretchen Carlson. In July, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, claiming years of inappropriate behavior and sexual advances.
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On July 20, 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid the growing outcry over the sexual harassment allegations.
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Ailes died on May 18, 2017 at age 77.