How The Trump Administration Is Controlling The Media
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

How The Trump Administration Is Controlling The Media

It goes much further than "but her emails."

18
How The Trump Administration Is Controlling The Media
ABC News

On October 7, 2016, The Washington Post released a tape of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump (now our actual president) on a hot mic expressing the luxuries of being a star. The luxury that stood out, though, was his ability to “grab women by the p*ssy” while they allowed it due to his star-status. The tape was quickly passed around due to its blatant sexism, and his admittance of past sexual harassment on tape. As soon as the 24/hour news stations began to pick it up, one phrase echoed from the Trump campaign: "but her emails."

They constantly toted this phrase, stating that news stations were unfairly covering Trump’s faults in comparison to Clinton’s. One would think that the news stations would counter this by continuing to explain their worries over the candidate’s statements. But they did the exact opposite. They switched the conversation back to the emails, actively allowing themselves to be bullied by his campaign and thus starting a continuous cycle of allowing Donald Trump control the media without them even noticing.

As soon as Trump came into office on January 20, 2017, controversy ensued. The first major conflict was the “Great Inauguration Attendance Debate.”

While the general consensus of all data on the topic showed that Trump’s inauguration was not nearly as large as Barack Obama in 2009, the Trump administration insisted that it was not only larger than Obama’s but "the largest" of all time. One would assume that the administration would back down, but they forced the topic through all mediums, from Twitter to White House press conferences. They combated all media outlets that disagreed with them, quite famously referring to their information as “alternative facts” in contrast to the actual facts presented by those whose job it was to gather it.

Due to his unwillingness to back down, news outlets were forced to look over the data days after its point of relevance in order to appease the Commander in Chief and his team. If at any time the absurdity of the conversation was brought up, someone affiliated with the administration would cry “unfair” and direct the conversation back in Trump’s favor without fail. The non-existent “debate” of his inauguration crowd size would prove to be just the first example of Trump directing the media’s coverage during his presidency.

After the inauguration attendance talk seemingly died down, a new topic rose to the front lines of all news programs:

Executive Order 13769, which was created with the purpose of banning entry from citizens of Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen for a period of 90 days.

Executive Order 13769 is also often referred to as a muslim ban, due to the demographics of these countries, and the administration’s promise to “prioritize Christian refugees” in these areas. As anger mounted from the blatant Islamophobia in the EO, news programs reported on it as such by showing the backlash from people in the country and around the world. To prove the significance of this EO, the Trump administration cited over 78 radical Islamic terror attacks not covered by the “mainstream media.” One would think the media outlets would disavow this statement and go on with their scheduled programming. They would be wrong again, because news outlets such as CNN rebroadcasted and republished their coverage of these 78 attacks, perfectly fueling Trump’s anti-Muslim propaganda.

As it stands today, it appears that a good chunk of the media is allowing this administration to bully their way into determining what content these outlets share and contributing to the Orwellian nature of the modern press.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52051
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33437
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956274
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181186
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments