In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, the media’s relationship with Donald Trump has transformed dramatically. As the newly inaugurated president takes his first steps in the White House, it has become clear that he is operating from a position of strength unlike any typical president before him. Generally, presidents enjoy a honeymoon period, a brief window where the media is kinder and viewership tends to rise. However, for Trump, that honeymoon lasted a mere 45 minutes. Nowadays, it seems like the media needs Trump more than he needs them, and that’s a spicy meatball for the Legacy Media to chew on.
Back in 2016, Trump sparked interest and engagement like never before. This time, however, viewership numbers for legacy news networks have taken a nosedive, considerably lower than what they once were. The fact is, many Americans have turned their backs on traditional outlets in search of alternative views that reflect their values. Trump doesn’t need the approval of the mainstream media; he doesn’t need a legacy in the same way past presidents have. Some viewers will vote for a Democrat regardless of the political climate, which means Trump has the chance to work freely without constantly looking over his shoulder at the headlines.
On his first full day in power, Trump appeared to be embracing this newfound freedom. As he continuously ranks on the political scoreboard, media representatives struggle to keep their narratives afloat. For instance, a certain writer from the New York Times recently tried to paint Trump’s political journey as a slippery slope of manipulation. The irony of labeling Trump as an experienced manipulator right off the bat is rich, especially since it begs the question: who’s actually manipulating whom? With all the frantic tasking at hand, it seems the real story is buried under layers of unfounded negativity and bias, showcasing how the media operates.
What caught the attention of many was the media’s tendency to project negativity onto anything related to Trump, even actions that on the surface might be deemed neutral. Take the case of a New York Times report discussing Trump’s age compared to Biden’s, pointing out that he looks older. Is that really surprising? Nevertheless, there was no mention of how Biden fared, and one can only wonder if the coverage would have been the same if the roles were reversed. Instead of balanced journalism, it appeared to be a smear campaign disguised as news.
And let’s not forget about everyone’s favorite pastime, pardons! Trump’s supposed efforts to issue preemptive pardons were critiqued with the passion of a thousand editorial pens, while Biden’s pardons seemed to glide through media coverage unnoticed. The media’s narrative approach doesn’t stop there—turning Bad Biden stories into Bad Trump stories became the name of their game. So, when Biden made headlines for pardoning individuals connected to his family in a move that raised eyebrows, the media conveniently twisted the narrative to fit their agenda, making it sound like a “noble” act. The sheer audacity of their journalistic gymnastics is enough to make one chuckle in disbelief.
So, as Trump settles into his role as a political heavyweight, the divide between him and the media expands. It’s clear: the era of “traditional journalism” is in serious need of a makeover, and Trump’s indifference to their approval creates a rather entertaining spectacle. He isn’t the outsider anymore—he’s the ultimate insider that’s shifted the power dynamics. Meanwhile, the media, once a pillar of political power, finds itself bathed in the bitter realization that maybe, just maybe, their time has come to an end. For now, they can only watch as the Trump era unfolds, perhaps feeling more like an audience than a participant in the grand show of American politics.
