I’ve been saying for a long time it’s not really Republicans. It’s just a cult of personality with Trump as Dear Leader. His cultists want whatever he wants even if it’s to their disadvantage. It’s beyond stunning. And beyond disheartening. It’s also incredibly infuriating that so many voters are so brainwashed and supporting this sad excuse for a human being.
Great article, but I think one point you are missing (and I hate to say it) but Trump is a cash cow for the media. I know there are many great, caring journalists out there but I worry about their bosses’ fear of losing that cash.
RE: "Ultimately, they are afraid of him — without getting behind him, they fear they will lose their political futures."
Mitch McConnell has no political future - while he could use his remaining time in office to take up the mantle of Mitt Romney and be the burr under the Secessionist-in-Chief's saddle (if that fat fuque could ever mount a horse) and call out Trump for anti-American posturing.
But let us remember this is that douche who robbed Obama of a SC seat, then forced a vote before Biden took over. The "manly man" who stood by while his wife was savaged by Trump.
There is no manhood alive in him, he has proven over-and-over again that he is truly more turtle than man.
Marjorie "Dude Looks Like a Lady" Taylor Greene (minus the Greene) only cares about her media future — she'll go scorched Earth on any topic so long as she gets face-time. She knows her imbecile constituents don't hear a third of the rapid bat-shit crazy stunts she pulls, so "What; Me Worry?" is her "Christian Credo".
I agree 100%! I'm so frustrated by the talking heads who say that he's can't do anything TOO bad, because Congress... Or SCOTUS or the Constitution.... They don't get that he doesn't care about any of those things
I know this is way over the top, but I keep imagining the Joint Chiefs refusing to carry out his orders and Putin saying he'll send some troops who will do whatever they're told.
I feel a little more hopeful after the events of today, I am convinced that we are at a very dangerous turning point. Keep spreading the word, Chris!
Well said. We need more voices like this, adding to Margaret Sullivan in The Guardian and Jennifer Rubin in the WaPo, but I do sense a long overdue awakening, albeit still glacial in pace.
What I don’t get is Moscow Mitch... he is clearly on the way out (cue the frozen stare at the microphone- happened twice already) ... what political future? He has enough $, his wife’s family is wealthy... why not go out in a blaze of glory taking down a guy that must absolutely loathe (and if doesn’t he is the all time cuck) and do the country a service...isn’t that what makes being set for life all about? The freedom to do what is really needed?!! What a waste of an alleged human being...
This is right on the mark, and timely. The media in general still has time to change course and point out the glaring and obvious danger not just of a second Trump administration , but of Trumpists in Congressional leadership and the dreadful threat that they pose. If they will. This is the most articulate argument that I have read for NOT being objective when it is NOT called for. Thank you.
The school of objective journalism dominated as the ideal aspiration in the USA only in the 20th Century mass media environment. During our Colonial, Revolutionary War and 19th Century with pamphlets, newspapers and since the 1996 Telecomm. Act ushered in internet-based outlets, most Americans have consumed media that catered exclusively to their ideological biases. Social media algorithmns have super charged these incentives. Most Americans are unaware that they are so immersed and blinded to alternative perspectives that challenge their preconceptions. Journalists over the age of 30 weren't educated/trained by professors and editors who have internalized this news environment. New business models for media outlets that aspire to objectivity are needed. We live in a dangerous period for our experiment as a democratic Republic.
At the end of the day, Trump is an avatar of the grievances that his supporters hold, not a real person. No amount of media honesty will sway them. But what it will do is cause MAGAworld to boycott mainstream media even more, hurting its bottom line. Which the cash-starved media entities can't afford. So, while some middling voters might be swayed by more honest coverage, the economics of the biz require maintenance of the horse-race narrative. Just like all those Republican MoCs know not to cross Trump and his cult.
Chris, i'm glad you had your 5 am wakeup call. It is 9 years late. But we can hope not too late, in spite of many sickly canaries in the mines.
Perhaps one has to grow up as a child surrounded by Holocaust survivors with numbers tattooed on their arms, or live though any unstable government, to appreciate just how fragile any democracy can be.
The little orange man's concept of power and law was made clear as he spoke about minority groups in disparaging words after descending on an escalator in 2015. In 2017 he again made clear his heart after "white" supremacists marched in Charleston with the cry "Jews (and fill in the blank) will not replace us!" Even after one of the supremacists killed an innocent woman and injured dozens more, Trump insisted there were "very fine people on both sides.”
Ring your clarion bell loudly, enlist more journalists of ethical persuasion, help inform citizens of the importance of learning about candidates at every level and perhaps encourage citizens to return a second party to good standing to promote multiple points of view and the concept of comprimise. Most importantly, help us overturn political gerrymanders that discourage candidates from listening to all potential constituents. It will take more than one election, but it's a start.
Excellent post today Chris. You have definitely "learned the lesson" from being let go at CNN and are stepping up to be an important Trusted Voice. I'm glad I subscribed when I first came here.
The fact that Congress is so broken and dysfunctional due to one party not being willing to compromise, or even work in a cohesive way within itself, feeds the narrative that democracy doesn't work, doesn't get things done, and isn't the be all and end all, which further feeds into the Trump dictator trope and why he keeps touting dictators. Democracy overall is being undermined over the course of the last several years leading to consequences around the world and here in the U.S. We can say the solution is to elect those who want to see Congress work the way it should, but there are too many elected members who don't want to it to work and too many people who elect them. The solution is an enigma to me.
Can we please stop referring to MAGA and Trump as Republicans?
The media must first recognize that Trump has engineered a hostile takeover of what was formerly the GOP.
Once that is acknowledged, they can then report on the ongoing seditious conspiratorial activities that are being perpetrated by Trump and his enabling co-conspirators.
Terrific article. With the exception of Jennifer Rubin, I haven't read anything like this in the regular columns I follow.
Thank you!
I’ve been saying for a long time it’s not really Republicans. It’s just a cult of personality with Trump as Dear Leader. His cultists want whatever he wants even if it’s to their disadvantage. It’s beyond stunning. And beyond disheartening. It’s also incredibly infuriating that so many voters are so brainwashed and supporting this sad excuse for a human being.
Agree. To me Trump is barely a Republican.
Yes, MAGATS are a *cult*, and that needs to be shouted from the rooftops !!!!
Exactly
Great article, but I think one point you are missing (and I hate to say it) but Trump is a cash cow for the media. I know there are many great, caring journalists out there but I worry about their bosses’ fear of losing that cash.
ARGGH! Trump is a marketing/media genius.
This article is outstanding!! Please keep going!!
I will!
Chris,
Great article!!
RE: "Ultimately, they are afraid of him — without getting behind him, they fear they will lose their political futures."
Mitch McConnell has no political future - while he could use his remaining time in office to take up the mantle of Mitt Romney and be the burr under the Secessionist-in-Chief's saddle (if that fat fuque could ever mount a horse) and call out Trump for anti-American posturing.
But let us remember this is that douche who robbed Obama of a SC seat, then forced a vote before Biden took over. The "manly man" who stood by while his wife was savaged by Trump.
There is no manhood alive in him, he has proven over-and-over again that he is truly more turtle than man.
Marjorie "Dude Looks Like a Lady" Taylor Greene (minus the Greene) only cares about her media future — she'll go scorched Earth on any topic so long as she gets face-time. She knows her imbecile constituents don't hear a third of the rapid bat-shit crazy stunts she pulls, so "What; Me Worry?" is her "Christian Credo".
I'm trying to be objective and see both sides here, but....
Just kidding, you nailed it Chris. All of it.
Ha! Thanks.
Wow! Powerful words here, Chris! Folks need to really understand what is at stake for the future of our Democracy.
“There are none so blind as those who will not see!”
That’s right. Stakes are high!
I agree 100%! I'm so frustrated by the talking heads who say that he's can't do anything TOO bad, because Congress... Or SCOTUS or the Constitution.... They don't get that he doesn't care about any of those things
I know this is way over the top, but I keep imagining the Joint Chiefs refusing to carry out his orders and Putin saying he'll send some troops who will do whatever they're told.
I feel a little more hopeful after the events of today, I am convinced that we are at a very dangerous turning point. Keep spreading the word, Chris!
Just remember: He LOVES to “joke” about staying in office more than 8 years. I rule nothing out.
Exactly!
Well said. We need more voices like this, adding to Margaret Sullivan in The Guardian and Jennifer Rubin in the WaPo, but I do sense a long overdue awakening, albeit still glacial in pace.
What I don’t get is Moscow Mitch... he is clearly on the way out (cue the frozen stare at the microphone- happened twice already) ... what political future? He has enough $, his wife’s family is wealthy... why not go out in a blaze of glory taking down a guy that must absolutely loathe (and if doesn’t he is the all time cuck) and do the country a service...isn’t that what makes being set for life all about? The freedom to do what is really needed?!! What a waste of an alleged human being...
This is right on the mark, and timely. The media in general still has time to change course and point out the glaring and obvious danger not just of a second Trump administration , but of Trumpists in Congressional leadership and the dreadful threat that they pose. If they will. This is the most articulate argument that I have read for NOT being objective when it is NOT called for. Thank you.
I think some in the media are doing it! I just think people in my profession are still stuck in an old way of thinking about politics and the parties.
The school of objective journalism dominated as the ideal aspiration in the USA only in the 20th Century mass media environment. During our Colonial, Revolutionary War and 19th Century with pamphlets, newspapers and since the 1996 Telecomm. Act ushered in internet-based outlets, most Americans have consumed media that catered exclusively to their ideological biases. Social media algorithmns have super charged these incentives. Most Americans are unaware that they are so immersed and blinded to alternative perspectives that challenge their preconceptions. Journalists over the age of 30 weren't educated/trained by professors and editors who have internalized this news environment. New business models for media outlets that aspire to objectivity are needed. We live in a dangerous period for our experiment as a democratic Republic.
At the end of the day, Trump is an avatar of the grievances that his supporters hold, not a real person. No amount of media honesty will sway them. But what it will do is cause MAGAworld to boycott mainstream media even more, hurting its bottom line. Which the cash-starved media entities can't afford. So, while some middling voters might be swayed by more honest coverage, the economics of the biz require maintenance of the horse-race narrative. Just like all those Republican MoCs know not to cross Trump and his cult.
Chris, i'm glad you had your 5 am wakeup call. It is 9 years late. But we can hope not too late, in spite of many sickly canaries in the mines.
Perhaps one has to grow up as a child surrounded by Holocaust survivors with numbers tattooed on their arms, or live though any unstable government, to appreciate just how fragile any democracy can be.
The little orange man's concept of power and law was made clear as he spoke about minority groups in disparaging words after descending on an escalator in 2015. In 2017 he again made clear his heart after "white" supremacists marched in Charleston with the cry "Jews (and fill in the blank) will not replace us!" Even after one of the supremacists killed an innocent woman and injured dozens more, Trump insisted there were "very fine people on both sides.”
Ring your clarion bell loudly, enlist more journalists of ethical persuasion, help inform citizens of the importance of learning about candidates at every level and perhaps encourage citizens to return a second party to good standing to promote multiple points of view and the concept of comprimise. Most importantly, help us overturn political gerrymanders that discourage candidates from listening to all potential constituents. It will take more than one election, but it's a start.
Excellent post today Chris. You have definitely "learned the lesson" from being let go at CNN and are stepping up to be an important Trusted Voice. I'm glad I subscribed when I first came here.
The fact that Congress is so broken and dysfunctional due to one party not being willing to compromise, or even work in a cohesive way within itself, feeds the narrative that democracy doesn't work, doesn't get things done, and isn't the be all and end all, which further feeds into the Trump dictator trope and why he keeps touting dictators. Democracy overall is being undermined over the course of the last several years leading to consequences around the world and here in the U.S. We can say the solution is to elect those who want to see Congress work the way it should, but there are too many elected members who don't want to it to work and too many people who elect them. The solution is an enigma to me.
At least we still have one strong and functional
party!
Can we please stop referring to MAGA and Trump as Republicans?
The media must first recognize that Trump has engineered a hostile takeover of what was formerly the GOP.
Once that is acknowledged, they can then report on the ongoing seditious conspiratorial activities that are being perpetrated by Trump and his enabling co-conspirators.
Great point. And, in fact, Trump would, more than anyone, appreciate, and in fact, revel in, the Republican Party being renamed the Trump Party…
He’s probably already producing Trump Party merch.