Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast Trump, Social Media Influencers, and The Epstein Case
Sep 3, 2025
Ben Smith, co-founder of Semafor and author of 'Traffic,' dives into the dynamic relationship between Trump and social media influencers. He reveals how these influencers shape political narratives and policies, impacting government norms. Smith also discusses Trump's strategy against bureaucratic institutions, raising questions about democracy's future. The conversation further addresses the financial struggles of journalism in the influencer era and the critical need for transparency and truthfulness in reporting.
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Why Trump Targets Bureaucracy
- Trump and his team view bureaucracy as opaque obstacles that block presidential goals rather than independent institutions.
- That frustration drives efforts to remake agencies to align them with the president's priorities.
Social Media Became The Governing Platform
- Banning Trump from platforms didn't shrink his influence; it changed how he governs rather than silenced him.
- He now governs through intense social-media feedback loops that cede power to loud influencers.
Social Media Versus Institutional Checks
- Social media functions as a democratic medium that can overpower institutions meant to restrain pure popular will.
- Trump uses that tension to pit noisy online majorities against checks like the Fed and federal courts.
