WNBA's Cunningham and Cloud post opposing reactions to Democratic midterm wins
After Democrats did well in the 3 November midterms, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham reshared a personal-responsibility message and Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud posted a taunt aimed at Republicans. The coverage so far comes only from right-leaning outlets.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2On Wednesday 4 November, the day after the midterm elections, WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham reposted a message from entrepreneur Andy Frisella on their Instagram Story. Fox NewsR “On Wednesday, a day after Democrats dominated the midterm elections, Cunningham reposted a diatribe from entrepreneur Andy Frisella on her Instagram Story.” Read at Fox News ↗ Washington ExaminerR “seemingly weighed in on the elections Wednesday after sharing a message from entrepreneur Andy Frisella on Instagram.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1The Frisella post argues that people put more faith in elections than in their own ability to change their lives, that "politics is downstream of culture," and that "Personal excellence is the Ultimate Rebellion." Fox NewsR “One of the strangest things about our culture is how much faith we’ve placed in elections to change our lives and how little faith we’ve placed in our own ability to do the same.” Read at Fox News ↗ Fox NewsR “Personal excellence is the Ultimate Rebellion.” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Fox News opinion writer Matt Calkins contrasted this with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud, who shared a Threads post from Rep. Robert Garcia reading "LAWYER UP!" and added the comment "BTA!", which Calkins described as slang for "belt to ass." Fox NewsR “The Chicago guard shared a Threads post from Rep. Robert Garcia reading "LAWYER UP!" and added her own three-letter commentary: "BTA!" — slang for "belt to ass."” Read at Fox News ↗
Right · 1Calkins read Cloud's post as taunting Republicans over their losses and celebrating the prospect of Democratic oversight aimed at President Trump. He also cited Cloud's past statements, including a 2023 tweet saying "Our country is trash" after the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling. Fox NewsR “Cloud was openly taunting Republicans over their midterm losses while celebrating the prospect of incoming Democratic oversight targeting President Trump.”“In 2023, she tweeted, "Our country is trash" on the heels of SCOTUS ruling” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Fox News said Cunningham appeared to face critical replies and then added a Mike Tyson quote to their Story: "Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it." Fox NewsR “Cunningham seemingly faced people commenting back on her post, as she then added a different share to her Story. It was a blunt quote from boxing great Mike Tyson.”“Social media made y’all way too comfortable with disrespecting people and not getting punched in the face for it,” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Cunningham became a lightning rod last season by saying they supported separating biological men and women in sports. Fox News says Cunningham has described themself as politically in the "middle," agreeing with arguments from both sides. Fox NewsR “Sophie has been adamant about being in the political "middle," saying she agrees with arguments from both sides of the aisle.” Read at Fox News ↗ Fox NewsR “She became a lightning rod this past WNBA season after saying she supported the separation of biological men playing in women’s sports.” Read at Fox News ↗
Right · 1On Friday 6 November, Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha said on Fox News's Fox & Friends First that Cunningham was "sharing a good message," that the backlash is "just the way it works" on social media, and that Cunningham could have a hit show on Fox News after retiring from basketball. Washington ExaminerR ““This is just the way it works,” Concha said Friday on Fox News’s Fox & Friends First.”““Why do I get the feeling that after she retires from basketball, that Sophie Cunningham’s show on Fox News is going to be a huge hit?” he said.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Right · 1The Washington Examiner described the elections as a "blue tsunami" in which Democrats will take control of Congress. Neither Cunningham nor Cloud is quoted directly in these reports beyond their social media posts, and the coverage so far comes only from right-leaning outlets. Washington ExaminerR “Democrats claimed victories across the country, resulting in a blue tsunami that will take control of Congress.” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Fox News and the Washington Examiner present Cunningham as constructive and un-tribal, and Cloud (in the Calkins column) as divisive. Fox News reports the backlash to Cunningham's post as trolling, and the Examiner carries a Fox commentator's praise.
- Emphasis
- Cunningham's personal-responsibility message, the Mike Tyson reply to critics, and Cloud's "BTA!" post and past remarks, which the column frames as dividing the country.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No comment from Cunningham or Cloud beyond their posts. No coverage from left or centre outlets. The content of the critical replies to Cunningham is not shown, and Cloud's side is not explained beyond the post itself.
- Charged language
- “taunts GOP”“social media meltdown”“clapped back at trolls”“blue tsunami”“clearly relishing the division”
- For example
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“One sees the potential good in humanity and calls for individuals to rise above the political fray. The other seems to view half the country as irredeemable — and wants the world to know it.” — Fox News
“isn’t standing for the vitriol she seems to have received from some internet trolls.” — Fox News
“resulting in a blue tsunami that will take control of Congress.” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- Cunningham reposted Andy Frisella's personal-excellence message on Instagram on Wednesday 4 November, after the midterms.
- Democrats did well in the 3 November midterm elections.
- Cunningham drew criticism for supporting the separation of biological men and women in sports last season.
Sophie Cunningham person
Presented in these reports as a player who wants personal growth emphasised over political identity and who says they sit in the political middle. Their only recorded statements are the reposted Frisella message and the Mike Tyson quote.
“emphasizing personal growth over political identity” — Fox News
“Cunningham has also noted in the past that she likes to remain in the "middle" when it comes to her politics” — Fox News
Natasha Cloud person
Presented only through the Calkins column as having shared Rep. Robert Garcia's "LAWYER UP!" post with the comment "BTA!". The column interprets it as a taunt aimed at Republicans. No direct comment from Cloud is reported.
“Cloud also took to social media after Tuesday's midterms, but not in an attempt to unify or inspire.” — Fox News
2026 US midterm elections event
Described as a Democratic sweep. Fox News calls it "Democratic-dominated" and the Examiner says Democrats will take control of Congress.
“one day after the Democratic-dominated midterm elections” — Fox News
“Democrats claimed victories across the country” — Washington Examiner
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right3 articles
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Fox NewsR · · Opinion
MATT CALKINS: Sophie Cunningham urges unity as Natasha Cloud taunts GOP after midterm losses
Critical Opinion column setting Cunningham as a unifier against Cloud as a divider, and linking Cloud's post to her past statements.
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Sympathetic Reports Cunningham's response to online critics as a strong comeback and stresses their stated belief in common humanity over politics.
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Celebratory Relays Joe Concha's praise of Cunningham's message and his remark that they could have a Fox News show, with a Democratic wave described as a "blue tsunami".
- 5 Nov 19:05 First Fox NewsR MATT CALKINS: Sophie Cunningham urges unity as Natasha Cloud taunts GOP after midterm losses Opinion
- 6 Nov 09:58 +14h 53m Fox NewsR Sophie Cunningham responds to social media backlash with strong Mike Tyson quote after political post
- 6 Nov 16:03 +20h 58m Washington ExaminerR Sophie Cunningham’s got a future on Fox News after social media post about midterm elections: Joe Concha
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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