I have no doubt that much of the mainstream media and Democratic leadership were wishing that President Trump’s historic and so far, successful overseas trip would be a failure or be marred in controversy. The country be damned!
To them, peace in the Mideast; defeat of terrorism; reassertion of America’s leadership role in the world; and, leaking of national security information at home is secondary to Democratic control of the House and Senate in 2018.
While the media virtually deified Obama who could do no wrong, they have detested Trump.
Such treatment brings to mind Thomas Jefferson’s comments in 1807 to John Norvell regarding the news media of his day, ". . . the man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors."
Just how prophetic Jefferson was is evident in the study from Harvard University showing how disgracefully slanted and biased the mainstream media is against Trump.
Although media bias is not new, the depths to which they have sunk to politicize and distort the news regarding the president is unprecedented — and disgraceful.
In fact, it could be argued that journalism as practiced by today’s mainstream media is a dying art.
The Harvard study revealed that the tone of some news outlets was negative 98 percent of the time; and that they were more hostile than in the same period of the previous three presidential administrations. For example, news reports from CNN, NBC, and CBS were at levels of 93 percent negativivity, respectively, and The New York Times and The Washington Post at levels of 87 percent and 83 percent negativity respectively.
No American should be pleased with such biased and slanted news coverage by the nation’s major media outlets. It doesn’t portend well for Americans’ respect for the media which is already at an all-time low.
Such bias was on full display when major broadcast and cable networks refused to carry live the president’s important speeches in Israel. Speeches condemning terrorism and affirming support for Israel following the Manchester terror attack.
Republicans should be particularly outraged at such distorted news coverage since it is designed to denigrate and delegitimize Trump’s election. An election putting the GOP in control of Congress and the White House.
But let’s not hold our breath expecting Republicans to fight back against a one-sided media and their allies in the Democratic party.
The biggest threat to the Trump presidency is not the mainstream media — although a threat it is — and not Democrats in Congress — although a threat they are.
The biggest threat to the Trump presidency is the lack of any counter attack and major pushback by Republicans to the Democrats’ and media's assault on Trump, and his agenda. This assault is based on leaks from so-called "current and former officials" and the publication of outright falsehoods.
Make no mistake that the ultimate goal of the media and Democrats is to do whatever they can to derail the Trump agenda. Too many Republicans in Congress appear to have forgotten that the only reason Hillary Clinton is not president is — not because of them — but because of the same Donald Trump whom the media and Democrats are trying to discredit — daily.
Of course, Trump has not helped the situation by often stepping on his own message; contradicting his team; and, having an apparent undisciplined leak-plagued White House where no one, at least on the domestic affairs side, seems to be free to tell him "No."
Unlike Republicans, Democrats rarely break ranks and can usually be counted on to unite against attacks on their presidents, as they did in the Obama IRS , Fast and Furious, and spying on journalist’s scandals; and, the Susan Rice and Hillary Clinton lies about Benghazi.
But now, with Trump in the White House, Democrats are playing the "holier than thou" card, basking in the halo of political and media self-righteousness looking for scandal at every turn.
So where are the Republicans? Where are the continuing demands for the Department of Justice to immediately investigate the illegal activity of leaking intelligence information for political purposes which damages national security putting lives in danger?
Where are the continuing calls for Special Counsel Robert Mueller, as part of his duties, to launch a criminal investigation into the possible spying on, unmasking of and leaking of the names of Trump campaign and transition officials to the press by Obama loyalists — including the role of former National Security Adviser Susan Rice?
Why are they so timid? Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., can’t do it all.
The only obstruction and collusion I see going on in Washington: The media and Democrats’ efforts to obstruct the Trump presidency and agenda. Too few Republicans returning fire. Too few Republicans moving ahead on implementing the president’s priorities on health care, immigration, jobs, and tax reform. Too many Republicans being quick to jump ahead of Democrats to attack the Trump budget before the ink is dry.
Like the lion in the "Wizard of Oz," the Washington GOP establishment needs to take a trip to see the Wizard and get some courage.
Clarence V. McKee is president of McKee Communications, Inc., a government, political, and media relations consulting firm in Florida. He held several positions in the Reagan administration as well as in the Reagan presidential campaigns. He is a former co-owner of WTVT-TV in Tampa and former president of the Florida Association of Broadcasters. Read more of his reports — Go Here Now.
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