Apple is facing intensifying criticism and potential federal scrutiny over claims its Apple News platform systematically sidelines conservative voices, raising fresh concerns about political bias at one of the world’s most powerful media gatekeepers.

Apple executives who live primarily in Democrat controlled California appear to have totally ignored the fact, that they now face a possible federal crackdown on media bias, according to a conservative watchdog with executives who on one hand are cuddling up to Trump over Tariffs are using the other hand to give hima the middle finger telling him what they think about his call for balance in news reporting.

A new analysis by the conservative Media Research Center (MRC) found that less than 2% of top stories featured on Apple News last month came from right-leaning outlets. Out of 560 stories tracked in February, just eight — or 1.4% — were classified as conservative, while roughly 75% were sourced from left-leaning publications.

The findings echo similar results from January, when researchers reported that Apple News failed to feature a single article from a conservative outlet among its top stories.

Critics say the imbalance is not new — and that Apple has failed to act despite being alerted months ago. According to watchdog groups, there was effectively no improvement in February, with a “0% increase” in right-leaning representation compared to prior concerns.

The issue has now drawn attention at the highest levels of government. In a Feb. 11 letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson warned that the company could be in violation of federal consumer protection laws prohibiting “unfair or deceptive acts or practices,” according to reporting by the New York Post.

The following day, Apple News featured a Fox News article — its first inclusion of a right-leaning outlet in 100 days — highlighting the death of actor James Van Der Beek.

MRC President David Bozell said the minimal shift suggests deeper structural bias.

“If public exposure and a federal inquiry only yield a modest adjustment, that suggests the bias we documented was deeply embedded,” Bozell said. “This is not about token inclusion. It’s about whether one of the most powerful information gatekeepers in the country operates fairly.”

The watchdog’s analysis relied on media bias ratings from AllSides, a nonpartisan organization that uses a balanced panel of experts from across the political spectrum.

Julie Mastrine, director of AllSides’ media bias rating system, said Apple would need to take more significant steps to address concerns.

“Apple would need to make much more substantial changes to help reduce news polarization and give readers a broader, more balanced view,” she said.

The controversy has also reached former President Donald Trump, who amplified the issue by sharing reports of the findings on his Truth Social platform.

Critics argue Apple News wields outsized influence because it comes pre-installed on millions of iPhones and other Apple devices, giving it a built-in audience unmatched by most competitors. Apple has previously described it as the top news app in the United States.

Leadership decisions are also under scrutiny. Apple News has been led since 2017 by editor-in-chief Lauren Kern, formerly of The New York Times. In 2018, the Times described her as “one of the most powerful figures in English-language media” due to Apple News’ vast reach.

With pressure building from regulators and conservative groups, Apple now faces a pivotal question: whether its news platform can demonstrate political neutrality — or risk further escalation from federal authorities.