If you’ve been watching Fox News lately, you might be wondering what happened to My Pillow commercials on Fox. The familiar ads featuring Mike Lindell have become noticeably absent, and the reason is a major shift in advertising strategy and network relationships. This change has left many viewers curious about the sudden silence. Let’s look at the events that led to this and what it means for the future of advertising on the network.
The story is more than just about a missing commercial. It involves legal battles, changing network policies, and the business decisions that shape what you see on your TV. Understanding this situation gives you insight into how media and advertising work behind the scenes.
What Happened to My Pillow Commercials on Fox
The simple answer is that Fox News and other major networks decided to stop running advertisements for My Pillow. This wasn’t a sudden, overnight decision but the result of a prolonged series of events. The core reason stems from the legal and financial challenges faced by My Pillow’s founder, Mike Lindell.
Following the 2020 election, Lindell became a prominent promoter of election fraud claims. This led to multiple defamation lawsuits from voting technology companies like Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. As these lawsuits progressed, the financial risk for Lindell and his company grew enormously.
Fox News was itself a defendant in the Smartmatic lawsuit. Network executives likely made a business decision to distance themselves from Lindell and his product to mitigate legal and reputational risk. Continuing to run his ads could have been seen as an endorsement of his statements, which were at the heart of billion-dollar lawsuits.
Key reasons for the removal:
* Ongoing Defamation Lawsuits: The massive legal liabilities from the Dominion and Smartmatic cases made Lindell a high-risk advertiser.
* Network Reputation Management: Fox likely wanted to avoid any perception of aligning with Lindell’s specific claims.
* Financial Pressure on My Pillow: Legal fees and settlement costs have strained the company’s finances, possibly reducing its advertising budget.
* Loss of Partnership Agreements: Major retailers like Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart dropped My Pillow products, hurting its overall business health.
The Timeline of Events Leading to the Change
To really grasp the situation, it helps to see how things unfolded step-by-step. The disappearance of the commercials was the final act in a much longer play.
1. Post-2020 Election: Mike Lindell begins making frequent appearances on Fox News and other conservative media, promoting claims about the election.
2. Early 2021: Dominion Voting Systems files its $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Lindell and My Pillow. Smartmatic files a similar suit.
3. 2021-2023: Major retail partners begin severing ties with My Pillow, removing products from their shelves and websites.
4. April 2023: Fox News settles its part of the Dominion lawsuit for a historic $787.5 million. This settlement highlighted the severe cost of promoting election fraud narratives.
5. Mid-2023 to Present: Following its own costly settlement, Fox News reportedly stops accepting new ad buys from My Pillow. Existing commercials finish their cycles and are not renewed.
6. Ongoing: Lindell continues to advertise on some smaller, niche conservative networks and through direct-response channels, but his presence on major cable news like Fox has effectively ended.
Where Did the Advertising Dollars Go?
You might think that the money My Pillow used to spend on Fox just vanished. In reality, advertising budgets usually get redirected. For My Pillow, the strategy shifted significantly.
The company now focuses heavily on:
* Direct-to-Consumer Sales: Pushing sales through its own website, often using promo codes from Lindell’s appearances.
* Alternative Media Outlets: Placing ads on digital platforms and smaller broadcast networks that are still willing to run them.
* Owned Media Channels: Lindell uses his personal website and social media accounts to promote products directly to his followers.
* Telemarketing: There’s been an increase in direct phone marketing efforts to reach customers.
This shift means the audience is now segmented. The broad, national reach of a Fox News commercial is replaced with targeted outreach to a more dedicated base of supporters. It’s a classic case of a brand retreating to its core audience during a crisis.
How Network Ad Policies Work
TV networks have strict standards and practices departments that review all advertisements. These departments ensure ads meet legal guidelines and align with the network’s own policies, which can change based on current events and legal climates.
An ad that was acceptable two years ago might be rejected today if the advertiser becomes involved in high-profile controversy. Networks have a broad right to refuse service to any advertiser they believe could bring legal trouble or damage their brand image. In the case of My Pillow, the defamation lawsuits created a clear and present danger for any network running the ads.
Common reasons an ad gets pulled:
* Legal Concerns: The advertiser is involved in litigation that could implicate the network.
* Factual Disputes: Claims in the ad cannot be substantiated.
* Public Backlash: Significant viewer complaints about the product or spokesperson.
* Changed Business Relationship: The network severs ties with the advertiser for strategic reasons.
The Impact on Viewers and Customers
For the everyday Fox News viewer, the change is simple: one familiar commercial is gone. But the implications are a bit wider.
* For Customers: It’s now harder to find My Pillow products in major stores. Purchases are funneled primarily to the company’s own site. Promo codes from Lindell’s interviews or podcasts are often the best way to get a discount.
* For Viewers: The commercial break lineup has changed. The gap left by My Pillow was likely filled by other direct-response advertisers (like other health supplements, gold companies, or insurance) or internal network promotions.
* For the Advertising Landscape: It served as a public lesson in how legal issues can directly impact marketing reach. A company’s ability to access mass media can be quickly revoked if its leadership becomes a liability.
Could the Commercials Ever Return?
This is the big question for fans of the product who discovered it through Fox. The possibility exists, but it’s highly unlikely under current conditions.
A return would require a few major things to happen:
* Resolution of Legal Cases: The defamation lawsuits would need to be conclusively settled without crippling My Pillow financially.
* Rebuilding of Mainstream Relationships: Fox would have to reassess the company as a low-risk advertiser.
* Shift in Public Perception: The controversy surrounding the brand would need to fade significantly.
Given the scale of the lawsuits and the public nature of the claims, a return to the Fox airwaves in the near future seems improbable. The network has moved on, and My Pillow has adapted to a different, more niche marketing model.
What This Teaches Us About Media and Advertising
The situation with My Pillow and Fox is a real-world case study in how interconnected media, law, and commerce are. Advertising isn’t just about selling products; it’s about partnerships and risk assessment.
Networks rely on advertisers for revenue, but not at the expense of their own survival. When an advertiser’s actions threaten to cost the network hundreds of millions of dollars (or more), that partnership will be cut. The “What happened to my pillow commercials on Fox” question is ultimately answered by a spreadsheet of legal liabilities. It was a business decision, first and foremost.
Brands also learn that a founder’s public persona is inseparable from the company’s fate. When the CEO becomes the headline, the company’s advertising access can shrink overnight. Diversifying marketing channels—like having a strong direct online sales operation—can be a lifesaver when traditional doors close.
Finding My Pillow Products Today
If you’re looking to buy a My Pillow now, you need to know where to look. The retail landscape has changed dramatically.
Where you CAN find My Pillow products:
* The Official MyPillow Website: This is the primary sales channel now. They often run promotions and discounts.
* Some Online Marketplaces: You might find them on Amazon or eBay from third-party sellers, but selection and pricing can vary.
* Selected Regional Stores: Some smaller, independent retailers may still carry stock.
* Through Telemarketing: The company has increased phone sales efforts.
Where you CANNOT find them anymore:
* Major Big-Box Retailers: Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and Bed Bath & Beyond have all removed the products.
* Most Mainstream Shopping Networks: QVC and similar networks have also distanced themselves.
The buying process is now more direct. You’re dealing straight with the company, for better or worse. Be sure to look for current promo codes from Lindell’s recent media apperances to get the best deal, as widespread retail competition no longer exists to drive prices down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Did Fox News officially ban My Pillow ads?
A: While there may not have been a public “ban,” network executives made a clear decision to stop accepting ad buys from the company. This is a standard business practice when an advertiser is deemed a risk, so the effect is the same as a ban.
Q: Can I still see Mike Lindell on Fox News?
A: His live interview appearances have also become extremely rare. The network has significantly reduced its engagement with him following the settlement of its own lawsuit. You are much more likely to see him on digital streaming shows or smaller networks.
Q: Are My Pillow commercials on any other TV channels?
A: Yes, but on a much smaller scale. They occasionally appear on some conservative-leaning digital and broadcast platforms, but not on other major cable news networks like CNN or MSNBC. Their TV presence is a fraction of what it once was.
Q: Was the product itself the reason for removing the commercials?
A: Not directly. The product—the pillow itself—was not the issue. The reason for the removal was entirely related to the legal and public controversies surrounding the company’s founder, Mike Lindell, and the statements he made.
Q: How has My Pillow responded to this?
A: Lindell has framed it as a form of censorship or boycot, often discussing it in his media appearances. The company has responded by doubling down on direct sales and seeking out alternative advertising venues that are still willing to host its message.
Q: Does this mean My Pillow is going out of business?
A: Not necessarily. The company is under significant financial strain due to legal costs, but it remains operational. It has shifted to a model that relies on its core customer base purchasing directly, which can sustain a business, even if at a smaller scale than before.
The disappearance of those familiar commercials from your Fox News viewing routine is a small sign of a much larger story. It highlights how quickly business alliances can change when legal and reputational storms hit. The landscape of TV advertising is shaped by risk, ratings, and revenue. In this case, the risk became to high for the network to ignore.
So, the next time you notice an ad is missing from your favorite channel, remember that there’s often a complex chain of events behind it. For My Pillow and Fox, that chain involved lawsuits, settlements, and a fundamental change in a once-lucrative partnership. The commercials are gone, but the reasons why offer a clear lesson in modern media economics.