Commentary

Trump Administration Is Short On Facts, Big On Sensationalism

We at MediaPost hear a lot about fake news these days.


But the real question media executives might ask is: Can we quantify “fake” versus “real” news — even if it means boring, less entertaining analysis?

Last week, White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders considered this proposition.

She claimed that for an extended period — May through June — “all the major networks” were lacking. She did not specify which networks, programs or time periods. All she said was “evening newscasts.”

What was her beef?

Sanders said networks spent “one minute of their evening newscasts talking about tax reform; three minutes on infrastructure;
five minutes on economy and jobs; 17 minutes on health care; and 353 minutes attacking the President and pushing a false narrative on Russia.”

So Russia did not have anything to do with manipulating the presidential election? Seventeen federal intelligence agencies said it
did.

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It's not true, insists the Trump administration! OK, I’ll bite. Where is your data? (And what about the investigative findings of national newspapers and cable news networks?)

By way of comparison, MSNBC looked at the President's tweets over the past month — his “news” operation, for lack of a
better definition — and revealed its content.

Excluding retweets of others, from May 30 through June 30, Trump tweeted 182 times: once on taxes, three on infrastructure, eight on the economy/jobs; 10 on healthcare — and 60 on Russia/or attacking others.

MSNBC did not disclose the other tweets.

A recent tweet delivered on Sunday morning also focused on wrestling. Excuse me, pro wrestling. No, make that
fake wrestling. You know, as in fake news.

The presidential tweet showed a video of Trump in a staged effort at a WWE 2007 event. He was punching and body-slamming a man — WWE CEO Vince McMahon. The updated video now shows McMahon with a CNN logo superimposed on his head.

Sanders complained that too much of the media coverage is focused on Russia's involvement in the election, rather than big issues such as health care, infrastructure and tax reform.

She did not mention any emphasis on reality TV impersonating sports entertainment. (Or is that the other way around?)

Why does the President continue to tweet seemingly childish stuff, like the video? His supporters — 36% to 38% of the country —
would say it is about "honesty."

OK, where is the data to back up that honesty? And who is the source? Can the findings be verified? You know, the boring stuff.
Just give us your data and research — and let the public and business executives decide. Too dull, you say? It delivers too little
entertaining and body-slamming impact?

Yep, now I am listening.

4 comments about "Trump Administration Is Short On Facts, Big On Sensationalism".
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  1. Michael Pursel from Pursel Advertising, July 5, 2017 at 3:20 p.m.

    What a fascinating piece of bovine residue!  I was hoping for something educational Wayne, but you are diving into the political side of this issue too much.  How about all the "news" that Trump had nothing to do with "Russian involvement" in our elections, but your former President knew about it and did basically nothing? No mention in your hit piece about that?
    Trump has always been this way, but now that he is elected president, you and the other media hordes expect him to act the way YOU want him to act.  And when that does not happen, when he is not your patsy and apologizes after every word spoken that the press does not agree with, MSM print stories about his "childish stuff".  IF this story is about Fake News, sensationalism, then you need to look at CNN and their buddies.  Russian Hacking? Maybe the DNC wants to hide the story and point the finger at Trump.  But facts are coming out... There are much bigger fish to fry, and it looks to me like the fish fry will be happeing in DC this year.  Things are going to get much more heated once Lynch, Rice, and Hillary are called to testify. But that will be, according to the MSM, Fake News, right?   (BTW, best thing that could have happened to Joe and Mika is Trump NOT ignoring them.  Can you say ratings boost?  No wonder they like sparring with him.) 

  2. Chuck Lantz from 2007ac.com, 2017ac.com network, July 5, 2017 at 6:11 p.m.

    A very reasonable and accurate piece, Mr. Friedman.  

    And, as usual, the length and quickness of the expected troll-squeak* is an excellent meter proving just how reasonable and accurate it was.  

    *(The scatological "humor", and "over-use" of "these" "things" are, "of course",  "worth" "extra points" in your favor.)

  3. John Grono from GAP Research, July 6, 2017 at 8:22 p.m.

    Wayne, I think there is a typo in your headline.

    You used the word "short" when "bereft" would be more appropriate.

  4. Chuck Lantz from 2007ac.com, 2017ac.com network, July 21, 2017 at 8:13 p.m.


    It sure got quiet in here lately.  

    Since the personnel ... umm ... "reduction", the articles have gotten a lot slimmer, non-fattening, gluten-free and just plain dull.  It's not that your work is any less sound, Wayne, but geez, this place just isn't as fun anymore. 

    While it's understandable that the herd needs to be thinned once in awhile, what remains here isn't even close to a herd anymore.  I was just wondering if those who ordered the new look are happy with the result?  I know that I'm not, since the old look was extremely interesting and very informative. The back-and-forth in the comments, though sometimes harsh, only added to the interest.  

    One more crippling blow to the "inter" part of internet. 

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