For nearly 20 years, Harris Faulkner has been a comforting and approachable figure on TV. The Emmy-winning host, aged 59, is the star of Fox News’ “The Faulkner Focus” and co-host of “Outnumbered.” Married to fellow journalist Tony Berlin, they are parents to two daughters. A proud woman of faith, Faulkner’s best-selling book “Faith Still Moves Mountains” showcases her optimistic spirit. She has risen through the ranks of Fox News, even interviewing Donald Trump during his presidency. Her political stance is straightforward; she identifies her pronouns as “U.S.A.”
Despite her vibrant persona, Faulkner has encountered significant personal and professional challenges. Her journalism career has brought her face-to-face with tragic events in American history, where she served as a stabilizing voice amid political unrest. As an African-American woman, she often speaks out regarding racial inequality. Through her struggles, Faulkner demonstrates resilience, sharing with Forbes her powerful motto, “If someone tells you not to be pushy, start pushing that person out of the way.”
Confronting the Sandy Hook Tragedy
On December 14, 2012, Harris Faulkner reported live from the Sandy Hook Elementary School site in Newtown, Connecticut, as hearses began to arrive in response to a tragic mass shooting that resulted in the death of 26 individuals, including 20 children. During this heart-wrenching broadcast, Faulkner initiated the report with a moment of silence, recognizing the gravity of the situation: “You know why they’re showing up; let’s just take this moment together… A moment of silence.”
Her sensitivity allowed her to guide viewers through the day’s emotional turmoil while managing her own feelings. Faulkner recalls deliberating with her team about whether they should report the fatalities and reflected on the mental strain it caused her in an interview with The Washington Times. She candidly stated, “I have broken down [on air], and Sandy Hook was hard… As long as they know I’m going to tell them the truth.”
A Stand for George Floyd
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In 2020, during an interview with Donald Trump on Fox News, Harris Faulkner addressed the nationwide protests following George Floyd’s tragic death. She emphasized that Trump’s perspective differed significantly from that of people of color. Reflecting on this moment, she stated, “When George Floyd called out on the last few breaths of his life for his mom — his Black mother — he called my name, Mr. President. He called my name. I’m Mom first.”
Addressing the President in this way isn’t easy, yet Faulkner described it as a genuine exchange, akin to “two people sitting on a log, simply talking.” She recognized the need for humanity in such discussions, asserting that the conversation should reveal one’s true self. Ultimately, looking back, Faulkner was proud of how they navigated the interview, believing it produced a richer dialogue because they approached it from different viewpoints.
Supporting Co-Host Melissa Francis
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In a recent segment of “Outnumbered,” Harris Faulkner found herself in the midst of an emotional discussion about race with her co-hosts, particularly after Melissa Francis became visibly upset. As the only Black woman present, Faulkner, along with Juan Williams, engaged in the heated debate surrounding Donald Trump’s controversial comments about “very fine” people at a Neo-Nazi rally. As the discourse intensified and Francis expressed her views, tears streamed down her face, creating a notably uncomfortable moment on live television.
During the discussion aired on Fox News, Francis admitted her discomfort, stating, “I am so uncomfortable having this conversation.” She then expressed her heartfelt belief that no one should be judged based on their differences. Sensing the need to redirect the conversation, Faulkner gracefully intervened, acknowledging the emotional nature of their discussions but also insisting on the importance of having these conversations in today’s context, emphasizing that it is okay to feel emotional about such topics.
A Heartfelt Loss: Her Father, Her Guiding Star
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In a poignant moment during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris Faulkner experienced a profound loss on Christmas Day in 2020 when her father, Bobby Harris, passed away. He had already faced the sorrow of losing his wife, Faulkner’s mother, in 2016, leaving her entirely parentless during the holiday season. In a heartfelt message, she reflected, “Always guiding me through his grace and strength, Dad will now do so from heaven, beside my mother. I am theirs and they are mine, forever.”
Faulkner shared a unique connection with her father, choosing to adopt his last name (Harris) as her first name during her youth. A veteran of the military, he was born on Flag Day, and Faulkner cherished their family’s unwavering creed: “Praise God; Love America and all Americans, especially when we don’t agree; Do all you can for those who can offer you nothing more than their company.” She also expressed her grief on social media, announcing, “My dad Ret. Lt. Col. Bobby R. Harris has died. I shall remain silent for a bit while our family’s Christmas North Star takes his place in heaven.”
A Test of Faith Following Tragedy
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A committed Christian, Harris Faulkner’s faith underpins her acclaimed book, “Faith Still Moves Mountains,” yet the loss of her father challenged her beliefs significantly. She shared with the Christian Post about the struggle she faced with her faith journey during the dark days of the pandemic, particularly after losing her dad on Christmas morning. The isolation of the lockdowns contributed to her drifting from her beliefs, leading her to “pray less and cry more in my loss,” a stark contrast to her upbringing.
However, a pivotal moment came when Faulkner discovered an annotated Bible belonging to her father while clearing his apartment. The handwritten notes rekindled her faith, with her father’s interpretations guiding her back to spirituality. She felt that as she read his notes and prayed, “pieces in my life, however broken, were being knitted back together.” Faulkner transformed her tragedy into a profound source of strength and renewal.
Sophia Michaels
