Media fears being wrong about Trump, not democracy’s end


Listen To Story Above

The media’s recent concern over the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House isn’t about genuine concern for democracy. It’s about their fear of being wrong… again.

Let’s face it, the mainstream media has been predicting Trump’s political decline since he first announced his candidacy in 2015. They’ve consistently underestimated his appeal and influence, leading to a series of miscalculations. Now, as Trump’s popularity continues to rise, they’re scrambling to maintain their credibility.

The Atlantic’s recent piece, “A Warning From 2016,” is a prime example of this apprehension. It’s not so much a warning as it is an attempt to justify their past misjudgments and preemptively explain away potential future ones. They’re essentially saying, “We might be wrong again, but it’s not our fault!”

This isn’t journalism; it’s self-preservation. The media’s focus on Trump isn’t driven by a desire to inform the public or protect democracy. It’s about protecting their own reputations and maintaining their perceived status as the arbiters of political truth.

The irony is that their constant predictions about Trump are likely having the opposite effect of what they intend. By painting such a picture, they’re inadvertently rallying Trump’s base and potentially swaying undecided voters who see through the exaggeration.

Moreover, the media’s fixation on Trump is causing them to neglect other important stories. They’re so focused on predicting (or preventing) a Trump victory that they’re failing to adequately cover the current administration’s policies and their impact on everyday Americans.

It’s high time for the media to take a step back and engage in some serious self-reflection. Instead of doubling down on their rhetoric, they should focus on providing balanced, factual reporting that allows readers to form their own opinions.

The media’s job isn’t to predict the future or shape political outcomes. It’s to report the news accurately and objectively. Until they remember that, they’ll continue to lose credibility with the American public, regardless of who wins in 2024.

In the end, the real challenge to democracy isn’t Trump or any other politician. It’s a media landscape so consumed by its own biases and fears that it can no longer fulfill its vital role in informing the public. That’s something we should all be concerned about.