It’s been a couple of weeks since the election. I have been silent on commenting largely out of curiosity to see how the media would respond to the election of Trump as president of the United States.
Election night had been quite a surprise. I was expecting that, by this time, ballots would be counted and recounted, lawyers would be involved, and America would still be waiting to find out who would be president.
Instead, much to everyone’s surprise, the race was called by 11:30 (mountain time). Though everyone predicted it would be a photo finish, Trump won the electoral college in a landslide as well as won the popular vote by a wide margin. Trump grew in his support among black males, Hispanics, and even white women. In addition, the Senate flipped by the GOP who also widened their margin by a few seats in the House.
Conservatives celebrated, many of the left melted down. On the right, there was relief that the nightmare of the last four years was coming to an end; on the left, they would, for some reason, packing their bags for internment camps.
Social media was quite enjoyable to watch. Many media wannabes who actually think they would be missed announced they were deleting the Twitter accounts (“Oh, please don’t! We need your sage like wisdom,” said nobody). Feminists filmed themselves shaving their heads in protests and vowed to refuse sex to all males (as though that were a bad thing). And videos showing themselves weeping were—forgive the insensitivity—were a tad melodramatic (it was kind of hard not to laugh).
Overall, however, I felt this election was as much against the media as it was against Harris and the Biden Presidency. A TV network had been quoted in the New York Magazine as saying that if Trump won, journalism, in its current form and having lost all influence, would be dead.
Thus the reason I waited to follow up. I realize they would all be licking their wounds over these last two weeks. I was also hoping that they might get enlightened with a little self-awareness. Would they realize they overplayed their hand when it came to bias? Would they see that a scant few actually listen to let alone believe them?
I have heard moments of this. For example, (I think it was on CNN) a pundit said, “This election is a referendum not just against Democrats but Republicans as well that the American people are tired of not being listened to.”
The owner of the L.A. Times canned his editorial staff and will bring the paper back to journalistic standards which include all points of view. Jeff Bazos, owner of the Washington Post and some upper levels of ABC News made similar comments as well. Word is even out that ABC News is looking to add (real) conservative voices to “The View,” which I am pretty sure will give the current hosts aneurisms.
Beyond that and a smattering of other voices, most of the media, once they caught their breath on doubling down. This election’s results, they insist, is not their faults.
It is Biden’s fault for not stepping away from reelection sooner (even though they did everything they thought possible to ignore his mental decline until the debate). Harris just did not have enough time, they insist, to communicate her non message to the nation (even though spent their every waking moments trying to communicate it on her behalf).
It’s Harris’s fault because—well, nobody liked Harris (even though they spent their remaining waking moments trying to canonize her.
Finally, sadly, they insist it’s the American people’s fault. We’re misogynists (though I would vote for Governor and Secretary of Department of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem for President in 2028 in a heartbeat). We’re racists (welcome , black males and Latinos to this club).
Interestingly, the one ad hominum attack I haven’t heard since election night was “Nazi.” Perhaps some of the intellectuals on the left encouraged those on their side to learn about what a Nazi really is.
Sadly, two weeks after the election, the media continues to show a severe lack in self-awareness. Currently, they are loudly whining about Trump’s cabinet picks.
Admittedly, a couple—let’s just say—intrigue me, though I am wildly thrilled about others. I am especially thrilled that some dude will not get picked solely because he wears a skirt.
Hopefully with a few national newspapers and a network or two leading the way the American media will look to reform its industry.
This early out, it still remains to be seen.
However, we Americans must continue to demand we be heard. I am saying this not only to Democrats who will use every trick to get in the way (though I find it curious as to why Democratic senators no longer want to get rid of the filibuster now that they are in the minority.. hmmm…). I am also saying this to the new Republican congress. Don’t try the old bait -and-switch.
And to media: for the love of everything, stop lying to us.
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