Commentary
Trump's Attacks On Media, Political Opponents Have Real-Life Consequences
- by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, October 25, 2018
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.”
Wayne Friedman is West Coast Editor of MediaPost. You can reach Wayne at wayne@mediapost.com.
There was nothing fake about the Bernie Sanders supporter who shot up a Congressional baseball practice in 2007. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and his aid were both injured but the anti-Republican shooter did not survive. Who inspired him?
Douglas you are so right, this has been going on for years. Trump is at fault as are countless others in the political circle. Hillary, Bernie, Cuomo govenor of NY Sparticus, the list goes on and not just democrats. They all will say what they think will generate exposure and get them votes. That said none of it would be out there if the media did not promote the H** out of it. CNN's ratings have not been this high for years. Chris and Don's love fest each evening berating Trump and his followers is being viewed by fewer people each week. They should stop talking about matters like this and talk about something else. Maybe the ratings will go up and they will keep their multimillion dollars jobs. I hope no one gets hurt by these nutjobs but they are on both sides of the isle and all colors and religions.
Mr. Freeman, I know your column is labeled commentary so it is your opinion. If someone mentions a liberal hoax it is always show me the evidence. If a liberal makes a charge or claim, people must believe them with little or no evidence. You have Democrats like Maxine Waters telling people to attack people and push back. Define Push Back to some these Nimrods that are attacking people in airports, resturants. The liberals are always comparing Trump to Hitler. Maxine has her brownshirts attacking people in various places. ONe thing you should check on if a bomb is present a Bomb Squad is not going to let newpeople handle it or even take a picture. It reveals to much information making it more difficult to capture the criminals. CNN had pictures of the bomb and package.
Thank you, Douglas. The left is entirely unfamilar with the PLANK in its own eye... but will hypocritically excoriate conservatives for things they are guilty of, in spades.
By the way, Wayne... where's your real "journalism" to support this below?
Indeed, many Americans worry the potential bomber’s true intent was spurred by Trump’s crazy rhetoric and anger...
The hypocrisy of the left knows no bounds. If Trump is "crazy," he's "crazy like a fox," and a political genius. If he's "angry," he's angry like a fox, and a "get shit done" genius.
I voted for Clinton in '92, and Obama in 2008. Voted Libertarian in 2016, so putrid was the choice of the insolent buffoon and the Horrific Hypocrite Hillary.
The hypocrisy of the left knows no bounds.
Of course, White Nationalists including with the Nationalist is chief in the WH who listens to Bannon, a self proclaimed Stalinistsaying that he wants the US to be blown up into little pieces, is just having his wet dream to blame everyone else and the followers are complicit. It's more like Germany in the early 30's with the same rhetoric until the day when people say how did we get here with camps all over the country. As is we are only one bacteria away from major outbreaks and no help - decrease in health care, decrease in funding the Institute of Disease Control, decrease in regulatoins of the poisons let loose in the air, ground and water...why bother when logic and reason and truth are gone ?
Keep it up, Paula. Comparisons to Nazi Germany. The "hair is on fire, and world is ending" nonsensical mentality revolving around the loosening of some regulations (overkill to begin with, but set in place to placate illogically "morally superior" leftists) to kickstart the economy (the loosening worked). The irrational leftist hysteria, and over the top accusations with no "real journalistic support."
All of these things that you love to engage in will paradoxically result in four more years of Trump. I may NEVER understand the left's shameless ability to attach bogus negative repercussions to "journalistically unsupported" accusations, and hatefully demonize people on the front-end regardless of guilt, or innocence. I may never understand the left's inability to recognize the very real negative reactions, and repercussions resulting from their own failed ideas, and policies...
Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. See "history" going back to the beginning.
wow - dems and libs have been calling for and ENGAGING in violence and mob mentality and actions for how long now? And you blame this on Trump? What a hack you are. Journalist? no.
For years, libs have been attacking conservatives - especially on campus' with absolutely no peep from hacks such as yourself - but now - it's all Trump's fault because he calls you out for what you are? You're a hackneyed partisan - not a reporter, not a journalist - a liberal hack.
Go get a job at Facebook or Google where you belong.
Ignore what history, Paula? Nazi Germany? You, like Wayne, love to call for "real journalistic support" for proclamations from the right, yet remain unconcerned about "real journalistic support" for your leftist claptrap, and accusations?
WHERE IS TRUMP'S MEIN KAMPF?
And the most ironic thing of all is the left declaring that Trump is a hateful, racist misogynist yet was KNOWN for paying women equally to men for decades in his organizations (real misogynist there, huh?). In 18 months, the "racist" Trump has provided more jobs for the African-American community than have ever been created in history (real "racist" there, huh?). Obama promised to lift his community up during his eight years... he only brought them down further.
Again, not a fan of Trump, or his ways, but the way the left illogically picks at his bones with their very own hatred, and vitriole is MORE DISGUSTING than he is.
Keep it up. You will guarantee him four more years. And, in the process, if your hysterical and illogical head doesn't explode, you'll assure that no Democrat gets elected President for decades into the future.
The left. Unhinged, and becoming more so daily.
Gobsmacked.
Commence with the UNHINGING. Predictably, the Washington Post is blaming Pittsburgh (and every other evil, unlawful occurrence) on the bigoted, and "anti-Semitic" Donald Trump.
Never mind that his son-in-law is Jewish, and he's a true friend to Israel... he's very much "like Hitler" (right Paula? Let's not be doomed to repepat history...).
I worked at the Washington Post Company for a decade (late 80's, early 90's). Believe me, liberalism has changed. It's become incoherent. It's become unhinged.