Amy Scott, a dedicated Marketplace reporter, joins the discussion to unpack the fallout from Trump’s recent rally and its media portrayal. They explore troubling incidents of ballot drop box arson, reflecting escalating political tensions. The hosts stress the importance of maintaining composure leading up to Election Day. Additionally, a lost Chopin waltz is unearthed, sparking a delightful conversation about its impact on music history. Together, these topics paint a vivid picture of the current political and cultural landscape.
The media's shift towards more direct and critical language highlights their role in holding political figures accountable for harmful rhetoric.
Instances of ballot boxes being set on fire illustrate the heightened tensions and concerns regarding voter intimidation and election integrity.
Deep dives
Media's Responsibility in Reporting Political Events
The podcast discusses the role of the media in accurately reporting political events, particularly in light of a recent rally by Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden. It highlights a shift in language used by major publications, moving away from euphemistic descriptions to more direct and critical language that labels the events as filled with anger, vitriol, and racism. Examples from various news sources illustrate this point, showing how they have begun addressing the gravity of the sentiments expressed at such rallies without dilution. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the media in holding political figures accountable for the messages they propagate, especially those that incite division and hatred.
Concerns Over Election Integrity and Political Violence
The episode also addresses alarming instances of political violence, particularly focusing on reports of ballot boxes being set on fire in Oregon and Washington. This situation serves as a metaphor for the heightened tensions surrounding the electoral process, reflecting a broader context of fear and instability within the political landscape. The conversation points out that despite corresponding safety measures in place, the act of setting ballot boxes ablaze raises serious concerns about voter intimidation and election integrity. The hosts underscore the necessity for calmness and resilience in the face of these unsettling developments as the election approaches.
News outlets aren’t mincing words about the offensive and racist remarks featured at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday. We’ll talk about the media backlash to the event, which was intended to be a part of Trump’s closing argument against Vice President Kamala Harris. Then, we discuss reports of ballot drop boxes on fire and give tips on how to ride out the last few days before Election Day. Plus, a story that has us waltzing through our emotions.
We can’t do this show without you. Send us your questions, comments or wild suggestions at makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode