GB News has launched a nightly US programme, The Late Show Live, with the backing of the Trump administration, raising fears that the channel will become a new conduit for Trumpian views to reach British audiences. A delegation led by Nigel Farage, including GB News chairman Sir Paul Marshall and host Bev Turner, met President Donald Trump at the White House last month to secure support for the expansion.
At the launch party, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said GB News shared the administration's values of free speech, secure borders, and opposition to transgender rights. She confirmed the channel had been granted access to the White House press briefing room. US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick urged the station to 'control that narrative' in the UK.
GB News chairman Alan McCormick declared that Britain had been infected by a 'mind virus' that devalued family, community, and love of country, and that the channel was launched to end this neglect. However, critics warn that the close relationship with Trump could embed US right-wing talking points in UK politics. Sunder Katwala of the British Future thinktank said: 'From the American perspective, they really want a sort of Trumpism International.'
The first episode of The Late Show Live featured Trump ally Kari Lake, who criticised UK immigration policy and said she would vote for Farage. In another segment, host Ben Leo discussed global governance with Trump's former counter-terrorism director Seb Gorka. Trump has already reposted a GB News clip on Truth Social, and the channel is available on Truth+.
GB News now has an average daily viewership of 77,200, slightly ahead of BBC News, according to Digital-i data for the first half of September. The expansion marks a significant step for the channel, which was launched in 2021 to challenge mainstream media.
