THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent
ABC News’ Sudden Surrender to Trump’s Rage Stuns Experts: “Disturbing”
Dec 16, 2024
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.
28:29
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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