In the vibrant world of political discourse, the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency has been a rollercoaster ride of shocking news, dramatic polling, and media antics that could rival the best Hollywood thrillers. As Trump’s approval ratings reportedly dip into the mid-40s, with ABC even placing it as low as 39%—the lowest in eighty years after the inaugural stint—it’s evident that the media machine is chugging along full steam ahead. It’s almost as if they are trying to make up for lost time with a flurry of negative coverage, which according to the Media Research Center, has been more than 90% unfavorable. But hey, at least they’re consistent!
Lately, the media has particularly targeted Trump’s trade policies and tariffs, claiming that he is undoing the strong economic foundation he inherited. Yet, it’s important to remember that America was grappling with staggering household debt and soaring inflation long before Trump took the helm. The media may tout a high stock market as an indicator of success, but household finances tell a different story. It’s classic media spin: focus on the stock prices, ignore the average American’s struggles.
And speaking of media performances, Trump made headlines recently by opting to skip yet another White House Correspondents’ Dinner. This annual event, affectionately dubbed the “nerd prom,” features political reporters celebrating their own so-called accomplishments. This year, the prestigious Aldo Beckman Award went to an Axios reporter, who, after three years of chronicling Biden’s PR nightmare, found himself acknowledging the obvious—that the President’s cognitive abilities were waning. It’s something viewers had grasped long before this reporter finally woke up to the reality.
As the media celebrated their own, it was hard not to marvel at the sheer irony. While they claim to hold politicians accountable, they often seem more interested in serving their Democratic allies. The award-winning journalist’s deep dive into Biden’s blunders came well after the President publically stumbled during a crucial debate with Trump. Remember the awkward moments when Biden confused names and stumbled over words? It was all too reminiscent of a toddler learning how to tie shoelaces for the first time. Yet, here we are, still holding onto the myth that the media is impartial.
In a display of typical self-righteousness, the head of the White House Correspondents’ Association expressed that journalists are merely human, capable of mistakes like everyone else. They want to be seen as trustworthy stewards of public information, yet in this two-party system, they often echo the sentiments of one side. The very assertion that they are not “the enemy of the people” feels disingenuous when they appear to sidestep accountability for the biases they weave into their narratives.
As for the recent controversies involving CBS’s “60 Minutes,” things seem to be heating up. A lawsuit by Trump over an edited interview with Kamala Harris has stirred the pot quite a bit. The editors of “60 Minutes” were clearly trying to polish the Vice President’s image by embellishing her televised performances, making them look competent when they might not have been. In a surprising twist, the show’s executive producer resigned, voicing frustrations about the potential influence of corporate interests on their journalistic integrity. It’s a classic case of the media cafeteria—the editors may serve up what tastes good rather than what’s nutritionally sound for public discourse.
As the dust settles, one thing is for sure: the relationship between Trump and the media remains as fiery as ever. While Trump may be branded as polarizing, the resilience of his supporters remains strong amidst increasing scrutiny. And while the media may celebrate themselves at their annual gala, it’s clear that they are still missing the mark by failing to deliver a fair and balanced take on the realities of the political landscape. It seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same, or as some might say, the more they get distracted by their own self-congratulatory celebrations.
