Sarah Ellison, a media and democracy reporter for The Washington Post, joins Drew Harwell, a tech reporter, to dissect the Trump administration's bold new communication strategies. They explore how the White House is shunning legacy media to dominate narratives through social media, even using viral content to simplify complex issues. Their discussion touches on the clever use of memes and satire, and how these tactics reshape public discourse and challenge traditional democratic checks, showcasing a radical shift in political messaging.
The Trump administration's aggressive social media strategy transforms political communication, enabling them to dominate narratives and bypass traditional media.
By sidelining legacy media and fostering relationships with alternative outlets, the White House effectively curates news coverage and amplifies pro-Trump messages.
Deep dives
The Impact of Social Media on Political Messaging
The Trump administration is aggressively utilizing social media, transforming traditional communication strategies into a more combative, campaign-style approach. By maintaining a constant presence online, they aim to dominate discussions and reinforce their narratives, often drowning out critics rather than engaging in traditional debates. For instance, they crafted a controversial ASMR video juxtaposing a calming style with stark images of deportation, which generated over 100 million views, showcasing the effectiveness of this method in reaching wide audiences. This tactic represents a shift in how political communication is conducted, with social media becoming a primary channel for propagating government messages and addressing dissent.
Control Over Traditional Media Access
The Trump White House is employing a more controlling strategy regarding traditional media, limiting access to outlets they perceive as unfriendly and enhancing their relationship with alternative media platforms. By excluding major institutions like the Associated Press from the press pool, the administration seeks to curate the narrative while amplifying favorable coverage from independent journalists and influencers. This new arrangement allows for a more streamlined communication of pro-Trump messages while reducing the presence of critical reporting in press briefings. As a result, the administration effectively reshapes media representation, blurring the lines between independent journalism and partisan advocacy.
The Evolution of Political Communication in the Digital Age
The White House's communication strategy underscores a broader transformation in how politics interacts with media, emphasizing sensationalism and viral content over traditional journalism. This evolution reflects a shifting landscape where the concept of the 'fourth estate' is eroded, as the administration leverages social media and new media outlets to create a loyal audience base. Observers note the potential dangers of this model, as it facilitates an environment where partisan voices overshadow balanced reporting, potentially altering public perceptions of reality. Consequently, the governance approach is not only reshaped but also risks undermining democratic checks on power through a compliant media ecosystem.
Since Trump’s second inauguration, there has been a firehose of news out of the White House – and longtime adviser Steve Bannon says that’s all part of the plan.
“It looks like chaos, but there's certain internal logic to it,” Bannon told Sarah Ellison, media and democracy reporter for The Post. “It's amazingly compelling content.”
Sarah and tech reporter Drew Harwell have been reporting on the White House’s new aggressive approach to messaging. Host Colby Itkowitz talks with Sarah about how that strategy involves sidelining legacy media in favor of newer outlets, and with Drew about how the White House is leveraging social media to attack critics and turn policy into meme-worthy moments.
Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair, with help from Sean Carter.
