Remember back in 2015 and 2016, at least until it looked like Trump might win?
In those halcyon days, the media LOVED Donald Trump because, among other things, he wouldn't shut up. The camera loved him, and he was endlessly fascinating. They may not have liked what he said, but he provided them with endless fodder for coverage and debate.
The hate really didn't come until he became the nominee, and he went from being entertaining to the Republican nominee and hence became a real threat. Once that happened, he had to be destroyed.
Even once he became President, the "news" world revolved around Trump, although as an object of hatred and scorn. Still, he was great for business, and he still wouldn't shut up. Whatever Trump thought, he would say--even the most random puff of a fleeting idea.
He didn't always distinguish between his "negotiation-speak" and his "this is exactly what I think" utterances, but that was better than the constant spinning or carefully parsed words from the usual politician. Trump, in other words, really is as transparent as can be. You can misunderstand what he says, of course, by not getting the context, but you are never at a loss for words to parse.
Now that Trump is back in the White House, he is sometimes more disciplined than in the past--in prepared speeches at least--but what he isn't is Silent Cal. He is still in love with the cameras, and the cameras still love him. Biden was the opposite of transparent--even when he spoke, it meant little because he didn't run the show anyway.
Trump? He runs the show and won't shut up.
This is the way, take questions, answer questions. very important @FLOTUS is attending the visit with President Trump
— ZitoSalena (@ZitoSalena) January 24, 2025
to Western North Carolina and California. The people engulfed in these disasters, want to be “seen“ & “heard” as important as when he showed up in East Palestine https://t.co/xaDc4TooZ5
Among all the hoopla about Trump's blizzard of Executive Order signings is a too-little-mentioned fact that he did it all while having an hours-long conversation with reporters, entirely free-wheeling and without any filters at all. He chats with reporters all the time, live and on camera as he goes about his business.
I've never seen anything like it, and it must seem like a breath of fresh air for reporters who have been so carefully managed during the Biden administration, or any administration for that matter. Of course, most of these guys have never breathed anything but the stale air of the back rooms where they colluded with political operatives, so they may not know what fresh air smells like.
Reporter: Is there anything we should be worried about with the New Jersey drones?
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 21, 2025
Trump: “I would like to find out what it is and tell the people… in fact, I'd like to do that. Could we find out what that was, Susie? Why don't we find out immediately?”
Man, this is going to… pic.twitter.com/0rrdJSGBkF
As he signed the oodles and bundles of Executive Orders, he was surrounded by reporters who were able to ask him questions. I would say he graciously took the questions, but the fact is that Trump relishes the interactions. He seems to live for the spotlight, and he is incapable of holding anything back if he can help it. So gracious is not the right word, although I don't quite know what is.
That's not to say that Trump spills the beans if it harms his cause--he IS a negotiator, above all else--but if he can share what he thinks, he is happy to shout it from the rooftops.
In an ideal world, this should make Trump the journalists' best friend. But because journalists are much more committed to the cause than to the ostensible purpose of their profession, Trump is still reviled by many. As a group their main interest is, first and always, being the mouthpiece of the transnational elite.
But don't be surprised if some journalists warm up to Trump. Trump-derangement is no longer so good for business, and the people at the top of the media ecosystem are losing money like mad because of that. Some smart reporters are going to notice that the winds are blowing in a different direction and may break with the herd.
CNN Job Cuts Are A Painful Reminder Of Where TV News Is Heading
— johnny dollar (@johnnydollar01) January 24, 2025
Warner Bros. Discovery is positioning for wheeling and dealing that probably will include a sale of @CNN sooner than later...https://t.co/icNHPkYdi7
Being tied to the transnational elite isn't looking like the sure bet it once did.
Trump loves the camera, the camera loves him, and a good chunk of America loves Trump.
That market presents a real opportunity for enterprising reporters willing to give Trump a break.
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