I didn’t know the networks had it in them: solidarity. And we’ll see how long it lasts, but they actually did it. They responded to Trump’s ban on multiple outlets by collectively suspending White House pool coverage and depriving Donald Trump of the attention he continually demands from us, and giving America the briefest reprieve from his constant nonsensical word salad.
The move surprised me, especially since even Fox News held the line. Donald Trump and TV news make one another’s continued existence far easier. Trump gives broadcast networks an endless supply of rants and remarks to fill their airtime. In turn, TV news broadcasts the footage and fuels an entire video ecosystem online made of Trump clips. Trump doesn’t even have to talk to go viral. How many times have videos of him appearing to be asleep in a public setting made the rounds on social media? Or videos that purportedly show Trump’s mental and physical decline? Trump is an ideal president for the attention economy and its constant demands for fresh content.
But is America finally ready to move on from the Trump show? Amanda Marcotte made the point that this break has been good for her own mental health and might be good for the media industry as well, writing, “this little break might be a chance for the media to recalibrate and ask hard questions about how to cut way back on unnecessary Trump’s.”
I don’t have much faith that hard questions will be asked, especially given the current state of media ownership, which is about to become even more concentrated with CNN becoming a Paramount property when the merger with Warner Brothers is completed. But it would be interesting to see how much these companies pay attention to the data and metrics. Does less footage of Trump lead to better or worse ratings? And once you know the answer, how will they balance this reality against the desire to curry favor with the Trump Regime?
The break from White House pool coverage was short-lived. On Thursday, a judge’s order restored access, and the banned outlets regained entry to the White House. I expect Trump to continue fighting this out in court, but I can’t imagine he’ll prevail in the end. Nor would he actually want to if it meant fewer cameras fixated on him at all times. And it should now be clear to him that he’ll lose that attention should he attempt to ban certain outlets again.
I can’t help but blame corporate media and Big Tech for recreating this situation for themselves in the first place. Because these outlets and platforms chose to amplify and platform Trump after MAGA’s coup attempt. One of the networks that Trump banned, CNN, is arguably responsible for Trump’s being welcomed back into the mainstream political fold. CNN hosted a town hall with Trump, giving him free primetime minutes on national television. At the time, Trump faced one criminal proceeding in New York and multiple civil suits, including those related to his involvement in January 6. Corporate media obviously didn’t reelect Trump, but the coverage certainly helped reestablish him as a frontrunner.
This is my last newsletter before taking some time off to undergo treatment for breast cancer. Since I’m limited in how much work I can do while in treatment, my family and I are relying on income from CARD more than ever before. Your contributions always enable me to write and produce the newsletter each week, but right now they also help me take the time and space I need to heal.
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ICYMI
Whites Only: The Disaster the Justices Have Unleashed Has Its Roots in One of the Darkest Periods of Our History. (Mother Jones)
You’ll Do Anything for Your Baby. The Algorithm Knows How to Exploit That. (The 19th)
As CNN, MS NOW, Politico Booted, White Nationalist Outlet Snags White House Press Slot (Confront the Hate)
Depressing Roundup of ICE Roundups, This Post Will Be Led Away At Gunpoint, Probably (Wonkette)
Coda
I’m off for the next couple of weeks to recover from surgery, but don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands. Next Sunday, longtime guest contributor and friend of the newsletter, Greg Greene takes the reins. I’m excited to read his article.
I plan to take two weeks off, but don’t worry, I will take more off if I need it. Y’all keep writing to me, concerned about my workaholic tendencies, which I appreciate so much. It’s wonderful to know that so many people are thinking about me and want me to take care of myself. We’ll talk again soon, and I promise it won’t be until I’m physically and mentally ready to write again. Until then, goodbye!
