An anchor with Donald Trump's new cable network of choice finally declared Joe Biden the winner of the election on Monday, having appeased the president by holding out until the end.
Biden's victory was confirmed by the electoral college on Monday, with electors from every state gathering to cast their votes.
As the process was broadcast, Newsmax anchor John Bachman for the first time called Biden president-elect.
'The electoral college votes are being cast today, here is video from four states, New York, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Illinois, all certifying the election for President-elect Joe Biden,' said Bachman.
Newsmax anchor John Bachman on Monday for the first time called Biden president-elect
Bachman was discussing scenes from Arizona, New York, Illinois and New Hampshire
He referred to Biden as president-elect moments later, for a second time, in a sign that the new terminology was not a mistake.
Bachman told his viewers that Trump's legal challenges were now not likely to succeed.
'What I'm trying to do is manage everyone's expectations,' he told them. 'These judges don't seem to be taking up these cases. This is the reality. This is the motion set in place.'
Newsmax and the fringe One America Network were both outliers after the election was called for Biden by every major network on November 7.
Newsmax told viewers they would 'wait for the disposition of a number of these [Trump] legal challenges' to occur.
Trump appreciated the gesture, recommending the Florida-based network - owned by his friend Chris Ruddy - to his supporters on Twitter.
As a result Newsmax won over a significant new audience from pro-Trump viewers who were disillusioned with Fox News, in particular after they were the first network to call Arizona for Biden on election night.
Trump was so enraged he reportedly ordered Jared Kushner to ring Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox, and demand a retraction - something Murdoch refused to do.
Joe Biden on Monday night acknowledged the procedural step and spoke to the nation
Newsmax benefited from Trump turning on his former favorite network, and even won a single night ratings win over Fox News. However, there are signs that the network's recent momentum could be stalling.
Newsmax showed double-digit declines during the first week of December, after its November peak.
Nielsen, the viewership-measuring company, considers OAN to be too small a player to merit monitoring its ratings.
On Monday OAN, the smaller of the two channels, virtually ignored the unfolding developments as electors cast their votes.
Instead they devoted about four hours of daytime programming to a live feed of a hearing by the Arizona Senate to address voting procedures.
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