Media’s Soft Approach to Trump’s Hard Racism

Nine years on, it’s clear that corporate media still struggles to cover Trump and his overt racism effectively. Just look at the recent headlines from the New York Times and the Washington Post. This isn't just journalistic ineptitude; it's a deliberate choice to avoid confronting these issues head-on. This goes beyond malpractice—it's about normalizing white supremacy.

Consider Trump's recent interview with Black female journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention. Instead of engaging constructively, Trump reverted to his vindictive persona, questioning Vice President Kamala Harris's racial and ethnic background. His remarks are a blatant attempt to mobilize his base through divisive and racist rhetoric.

Since leaving office, Trump has managed to repair his reputation with significant segments of the electorate. His net negative favorability rating has nearly halved since January 2021, and he's gained popularity among younger voters, voters of color, and lower-income voters. This resurgence is due to a quieter campaign period where he was less visible. But given a platform, Trump can't resist his offensive rhetoric.

The media's response to Trump's latest outburst has been subdued. Headlines like "Trump Remarks on Harris Evoke a Haunting and Unsettling History" (New York Times) and "Trump questioned Harris's racial identity" (Washington Post) fail to convey the severity of his racism. These headlines avoid calling out Trump's provocations directly, failing in their duty to hold him accountable.

This isn't new. A Pew Research Center report from October 2017 highlighted how media coverage of Trump's early days in office was polarized. Right-leaning outlets offered more positive assessments and fewer challenges to his statements compared to their left-leaning counterparts. This trend continues, with media outlets framing coverage around Trump's character rather than his policy agenda.

Despite this, Trump remains virtually immune to character assassination. The public is so saturated with accusations against him that nothing sticks. This is partly due to the media's inconsistent handling of Trump's behavior.

In politics, Democrats have thrown everything at Trump, from legal challenges to relentless media scrutiny. Yet, his base remains unwavering, and he continues to poll competitively. This resilience highlights the complex dynamic between Trump, the media, and the American electorate.

Ultimately, the media's reluctance to confront Trump's racism head-on and the Democratic Party's sometimes contradictory strategies have kept him relevant. As the spotlight returns to Trump in the current election cycle, he will continue to showcase his true nature. The question is, will the media and political establishment finally address this seriously, or continue to excuse it away?

Trump's remarks at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention are a sign of panic from his campaign as Kamala Harris's candidacy gains momentum. He'll say anything, no matter how racist, to mobilize his base. We knew Trump would put his foot in his mouth. What will he say next, and how will the media excuse it away?