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US Media Facing Challenges: Transitioning from Independent Watchdog to Trump’s Ally?

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Donald Trump’s relationship with the media has shifted from defiance to a more submissive stance among journalists, coinciding with his increasingly aggressive attacks. His legal challenges, notably against the Des Moines Register, underscore his goal to intimidate the press into compliance. Trump’s threats to revoke broadcasting licenses and potential actions against whistleblowers highlight a precarious media landscape. As journalists adapt to this new reality, the integrity and freedom of the press face ongoing challenges in an increasingly polarized environment.

Trump’s Evolving Relationship with the Media

Donald Trump’s contentious relationship with the media has deep roots in American political history. Traditionally, journalists have responded to his provocations with defiance. However, there is a noticeable shift occurring: Trump’s attacks are becoming increasingly aggressive, while the media appears to be adopting a more submissive stance.

In the political landscape of the United States, the Des Moines Register holds significant influence, especially among politicians aiming to establish their presence. Before the primaries, this respected Iowa newspaper offers candidates an opportunity to present themselves on a modest platform known as the ‘soapbox’ during the Iowa State Fair.

The Des Moines Register and Trump’s Legal Challenges

While Donald Trump did not take the stage at the ‘soapbox’ during his campaign, he is familiar with the Des Moines Register due to a lawsuit he filed against the paper in December. Trump criticized the newspaper for its polling, claiming that it suggested he would lose by a narrow margin in conservative Iowa right before the election.

Despite a poll indicating that Kamala Harris was leading Trump, the actual outcome revealed a different story: Trump won decisively. Nevertheless, he pursued legal action against the Register for allegedly breaching consumer protection laws. Clay Calvert, a retired law professor, notes this represents a novel approach, shifting the focus from traditional consumer products to the realm of information and news.

According to Calvert, Trump’s objective is not necessarily to achieve a legal victory but rather to intimidate the media into self-censorship. Rather than serving as an independent watchdog, he envisions the press as compliant to his agenda. After the election, Trump articulated a desire to reform the media landscape, deeming it corrupt.

Trump’s son has also come to his defense amid criticism of his father’s controversial personnel decisions. Meanwhile, the ABC network chose to avoid a legal conflict with Trump when host George Stephanopoulos mistakenly claimed that Trump had been convicted of rape in New York. In reality, Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse, leading him to file a defamation lawsuit. ABC ultimately reached a settlement, resulting in a payment of $15 million.

Legal expert Calvert speculates that ABC’s affiliation with the Disney corporation may have influenced this outcome. While ABC has a dedicated news department, it also operates under the broader interests of a powerful entertainment conglomerate, which can create internal tensions.

In the current political climate, Trump has threatened to revoke broadcasting licenses if networks disseminate what he deems fake news or misleading content. As a private citizen, he lacks direct authority, but should he regain the presidency, he would have various tools at his disposal to target the media. His Justice Department could pursue legal actions against whistleblowers and investigative journalists under the guise of national security. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could play a pivotal role in shaping media regulation.

As the media navigates these challenges, journalists are also adjusting to this new reality, often with mixed results. For instance, after the election, MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski visited Trump, despite having previously criticized him harshly. This visit, described almost apologetically by Brzezinski as the first in seven years, did not sit well with their audience, leading to a significant decline in viewership for their show, ‘Morning Joe.’

This evolving dynamic between Trump and the media continues to unfold, raising questions about the future of journalistic integrity and freedom in an increasingly polarized environment.

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