ABC News’ Sudden Surrender to Trump’s Rage Stuns Experts: “Disturbing”
Dec 16, 2024
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Anne Applebaum, an insightful author and expert on authoritarianism, delves into ABC News' surprising $15 million settlement with Donald Trump. She discusses the alarming implications of media capitulation in the face of intimidation, highlighting how Trump’s tactics are conditioning Americans to accept authoritarianism. Applebaum warns of the dangers this poses to journalistic integrity and democracy, while stressing the need for resilient media that prioritizes truth against rising pressures in today’s climate.
ABC News' $15 million settlement with Trump suggests a troubling capitulation to his intimidation tactics that threatens journalistic integrity.
Experts warn that Trump's aggressive media strategy promotes self-censorship among journalists, echoing authoritarian practices that undermine press freedom.
Deep dives
ABC's Settlement with Trump
ABC News has reached a $15 million settlement with Donald Trump over a defamation lawsuit that stemmed from a comment made by George Stephanopoulos regarding Trump's legal issues. Experts suggest that ABC may have had a strong chance of winning the lawsuit, making the decision to settle appear more like an act of capitulation rather than legal foresight. This settlement raises concerns about the pressure news organizations face when dealing with powerful figures like Trump, who has a history of using frivolous lawsuits as intimidation tactics. Such actions potentially discourage media outlets from taking a stand against him, signaling a troubling trend for journalistic integrity.
Trump's Impact on Journalism
Trump's strategy during and after the election campaign includes using aggressive rhetoric against the media to instill fear among journalists and discourage critical reporting. By labeling journalists as ‘enemies of the people’ and threatening reprisals, he creates an atmosphere of intimidation, which leads to self-censorship within news organizations. This tactic mirrors authoritarian practices seen in other countries, where media control is often achieved through non-direct means, such as financial pressure and intimidation from powerful figures. As major news organizations face declining revenues and conflicts of interest due to ownership ties with other businesses, the risk of compromising journalistic standards increases.
The Future of Media and Accountability
The current climate poses significant challenges for the press, with concerns over self-censorship and the ability of news outlets to maintain integrity under pressure. While the American press remains a complex and diverse institution, the potential for intimidation could lead to a more cautious approach among journalists. This underscores the importance of media consumers being vigilant and supporting credible journalism that emphasizes fact-checking and accountability. The ongoing struggle for media freedom in the U.S. highlights the necessity of public engagement to ensure that honest reporting persists despite the pressures of an evolving political landscape.
ABC News has abruptly agreed to a $15 million settlement with Donald Trump in his lawsuit against the network. Coming after Trump raged at ABC throughout the campaign, some observers see this as a sign of broader capitulation to him. Indeed, it comes as Trump openly boasted that he’s “tamed” the media. We talked to The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum, author of Autocracy, Inc., who explains why this outcome has “really disturbing” implications, how Trump is conditioning Americans to accept authoritarian rule, and what the prognosis is going forward. It’s not great.