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Trump Timeline ... Trumpocalypse
- Thread starter CdnGuy
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There are those who argue that President Trump’s endless disparagement of the news media is harmless — perhaps a little extreme at times, but mostly just a lot of talk.
Sure, he throws around terms such as “enemy of the people,” claims that accurate reporting unflattering to him is “fake news” and gleefully insults individual reporters — especially women of color. True, he likes to threaten to use the powers of his office to interfere with the business concerns of media companies he does not favor or to punish their owners.
But, come on, what has he really done that’s so bad?
On Friday, the bottom dropped out of that argument.
The day began with the chilling arrest of a CNN crew in Minneapolis — two of whom were people of color — even as their cameras rolled. Omar Jimenez, Bill Kirkos and Leonel Mendez were simply doing their jobs, covering the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man, after a white Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
...
It’s possible to imagine a leader who would have reacted to Friday’s attacks on journalists very differently.
“The president could have lowered the temperature by reminding people that journalists are essential to our democracy and deserve to be allowed to do their jobs,” Simon said.
That kind of message might have had a positive impact on mayors and governors, who in turn could affect the way police and protesters alike might respond when they see reporters at work gathering the news.
Instead, the president took a different tack: He celebrated CNN’s no good, very bad day by retweeting a nasty taunt about the vandalism at the Atlanta headquarters.
Far from helping to put out the anti-press flames, Trump instead got out his trusty gasoline can.
Not surprising, in the least. But still plenty shameful.
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