Unhinged MAGA Media Figures Are Already Prepping for Trump’s Next Coup
May 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Matt Gertz discusses how right-wing media is laying groundwork to contest election results, portraying Democrats as election stealers. They explore GOP support for Trump's challenges to the rule of law and analyze potential running mates for Trump. The podcast delves into media responses to Trump's threats and the importance of comprehensive coverage to prevent future incidents like the Capitol siege.
Right-wing media is actively pushing the narrative of a potential Democratic election theft in 2024 to prepare Trump's supporters for contesting a loss.
Mainstream news organizations are criticized for failing to clearly communicate Trump's authoritarian intentions and the threat he poses to democratic institutions, highlighting an institutional shortcoming in mainstream news coverage.
Deep dives
Right-Wing Media's Narrative of Election Fraud
Right-wing media, including Fox News and other MAGA-friendly outlets, are actively pushing the narrative that Democrats plan to steal the election in 2024. This strategy aims to prepare Trump's supporters for contesting a potential loss and reversing it by any means necessary. The constant barrage of messages includes claims of Democratic election fraud and the portrayal of Joe Biden as a threat, all echoing Trump's sentiment that an election loss would be due to fraud and justify political violence if needed.
Fox News and the Pressure to Support Trump
Fox News faces pressure to cater to Trump's narrative and audience demands, leading to a shift towards promoting election deniers and Trump loyalists. The network's messaging emphasizes Trump's invincibility while also alleging that the Democrats are planning to steal the election, reflecting a conflicting stance on Trump's potential victory and the acknowledgment of a possible legitimate loss.
Media's Failure to Highlight Trump's Authoritarian Plans
Major news organizations are criticized for failing to clearly communicate Trump's plans to assert himself above the law and undermine democracy if re-elected. While some media outlets expose Trump's authoritarian intentions, there's a general trend of downplaying the severity of the threat he poses to democratic institutions. The failure to prioritize informing the public about these risks indicates an institutional shortcoming across mainstream news coverage.
Earlier this month, Donald Trump refused to commit to accepting the outcome of the 2024 election, shamelessly declaring he’d only do so “if everything’s honest.” Translation: He’ll only treat the outcome as valid if he wins. Infuriatingly, Trump has crucial backing for this project: Fox News and other MAGA propaganda outlets are already laying the groundwork to treat the outcome as illegitimate, should he lose. We talked to Matt Gertz of Media Matters, author of a new piece detailing how these right wing media figures are “warning” that Democrats intend to steal the election, and why that could produce another Jan. 6th or worse. Listen to this episode here.