This claim is partially true, but misleading. Dr. Phil's media company did file for bankruptcy, but the claim that "he left TV to go full MAGA" is an opinion. Dr. Phil’s TV network, Merit Street Media (launched in 2024), filed for bankruptcy early July 2025 and sued Christian television giants Trinity Broadcasting Network and TCT Ministries for allegedly harming its business and contributing to its financial woes. According to CNN, "The lawsuit, filed by Fort Worth-based Merit Street with the US Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Texas, claims that TBN, the network’s broadcast partner, backed out of its obligations and instead 'abused its position as the controlling shareholder.' As a result, Merit Street claims it was forced to “pay or incur obligations to third parties in excess of $100 million.” The company launched in 2024 as a conservative-leaning, “anti-woke” network, with Dr. Phil as its flagship host. Essentially, the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy was primarily attributed to a contract dispute with its broadcast partner.
