The Wednesday TV message on cable news networks seem clear -- via actions from a sick person (or persons): Blow up the media and potentially harm some former government officials.
Several potential pipe bombs were sent by mail to
CNN’s New York City headquarters, as well as the Clintons, the Obamas, the former CIA Director John Brennan, Rep. Maxine Waters, George Soros, a billionaire/major Democratic donor, and former
attorney general Eric Holder.
No one was hurt. But politically, the potential attacks seem to be targeted to those who oppose President Trump and his administration.
President Trump
will always need the press — all the press — when it comes to his public life as president or his businesses in the long term. This includes those who favor him and those more
critical.
And just in case your memory isn’t clear: For a few years now, Trump has launched numerous attacks on CNN, and other media, as well as some of his critics -- former government
officials and politicians, actively denigrating a free press and condoning various attacks.
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Trump supporters agree with many of his verbal attacks. Some TV viewers could be found shaking
their heads in shock; others laughed it up. As a result, cable TV news network ratings are higher. TV advertising revenues continue to be robust at those networks.
Now, there could be real
damage. Perhaps the bomb maker believes things should go a step further — personal intimidation or worse.
Some crazies are calling this a liberal hoax. Show me the real journalism to
support it. Oh.. you don’t have it right now?
CNN knows these incidences were real -- with evacuated reporters doing their job on the street outside CNN’s offices at New York
City’s Time Warner Center. TV viewing of CNN reporters showed on-screen graphics, such as “Outside Time Warner Center” and “Newsroom.”
In light of this,
President Trump read a prepared statement that said, in part: “Acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.” Various analysts called his
remarks the bare minimum, noting Trump did not mention those targeted by name, though two former presidents were targeted, nor did he reiterate the importance of a free press.
Former FBI and
Homeland Security officials, as well as top terrorist experts, called the potential pipe bombs an act of terrorism.
Indeed, many Americans worry the potential bomber’s true intent was
spurred by Trump’s crazy rhetoric and anger, especially at a campaign rally in Montana recently where he applauded a Republican congressman, Rep. Greg Gianforte, who body slammed a reporter last
year. "Any guy that can do a body slam — he's my guy," Trump said. He has also taken to calling his political opponents "evil."
Going forward, the media needs to try and analyze
Trump’s real intent -- as well as holding him even more accountable. Here’s one way to measure: Count how many times Trump now uses the words “fake news.”