The Daily Blast: Trump’s Eruption of Rage at NYT Offers Unnerving Hint of What’s Coming
Nov 27, 2024
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Margaret Sullivan, former public editor at The New York Times and author of the Substack "American Crisis," dives into Donald Trump's recent furious reaction to media coverage surrounding his aide. She discusses the unsettling loyalty Trump demands from his supporters and the potential dangers for press freedom if he returns to power. The conversation highlights Trump's attempts to intimidate journalists, the challenges of maintaining neutrality in reporting, and the implications of his media strategies on democracy.
Trump's recent outburst against the New York Times illustrates his attempts to manipulate media narratives by demanding subservience from the press.
The podcast discusses the potential threats to journalistic integrity as Trump may leverage state power to intimidate journalists if re-elected.
Deep dives
Trump's Media Manipulation
Donald Trump’s recent anger towards the New York Times highlights his ongoing attempts to control media narratives. He expressed dissatisfaction over what he perceives as biased coverage, indicating that he believes the media should apologize for not favoring him. This reaction underscores his belief that the press ought to submit to the authority of those in power, especially him, after winning the election. Such attitudes reveal potential challenges for journalists, who are tasked with holding power accountable while facing pressures from those who feel entitled to dictate coverage.
Threats to Press Freedom
If Trump were to secure a second term, he may leverage state power to intimidate and manipulate the media. This could range from threats regarding broadcast licenses to pursuing legal actions against journalists under the Espionage Act, particularly for publishing classified information. Instances of Trump's desire to punish dissenting voices during his first term suggest that future retaliation against the press could be more pronounced and systematic. Such a hostile environment for media professionals raises concerns about self-censorship and the overall ability of the press to report freely.
The Role of Public Criticism
Public backlash against media organizations, particularly regarding their criticism of Trump, highlights the complicated relationship between the press and its audience. Instances where audiences have canceled subscriptions in response to perceived bias indicate a strong desire for the media to serve as an accurate and fearless watchdog. Editors often grapple with conflicting pressures to maintain neutrality while being responsive to the fierce criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. The challenge remains for news organizations to balance this scrutiny with their commitment to journalistic integrity and to ensure that they inform the public effectively amid turbulent political dynamics.
This week, Donald Trump erupted in fury at The New York Times. He appeared triggered by a story about a Trump aide named Natalie Harp, who serves as his gatekeeper with creepy levels of devotion. What caught our eye is that in his rant, Trump demanded that TheTimes show obeisance to him because he won the election, perhaps providing an early glimpse of how he will seek to cow the media into submission. We talked to Margaret Sullivan, the former Times public editor and author of the great Substack “American Crisis,” who explains what Trump’s crackdown on the press might look like—and how well the media will respond to it.