A grumpy Trump sits at the defendant’s table, watching. I can’t help but think he’s smirking behind the glower, laughing to himself because he won the news cycle … again … for free. As P.T. Barnum once said, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”
It’s the new Trump TV starring The Candidate! Biden and Harris may be campaigning their hearts out, but Trump is reaching millions just sitting still.
Ironic.
Most news programs appear downright captivated with Trump. Each TV news cycle begins fresh on the hour, new teaser, new lead, new headline, new story.
Donald has an unwitting advantage for eyeballs: he’s a traffic accident we can’t help but slow down to see. The more notorious his actions, the greater the outrage, the more his story leads the hour. Biden being Biden is thoroughly competent and refreshingly boring.
Dang it.
In my humble opinion, many in the media have fallen into Trump’s trap of sticky, galling behavior. In trying to show us just how awful he is, the fourth estate gives him greater power. In fact our fascination with him might be toxic. We should all be more aware of the consequences of these editorial choices.
How much of Stormy’s trial is enough? Did we need to watch his limo ride to the courthouse? What else is happening in the world?
Coverage is not passive. Coverage is a political act, no matter how fair and balanced we try to be. Let’s not lead with outrage.
Karen Morris Muriello
Oak Park
