Trump Versus Press

Life is funny, in that “would you imagine?’ kind of way. Politics is more so. The press takes “would you imagine?” to a crazy level, fancy, falsehood, and fictions, leaving us startled, angry, or laughing.

Last weekend, President Trump was being interviewed when a reporter attacked him about whether he ever faced “lawfare,” implying he and those who defended him had never faced unfair prosecution or misreporting. The argument is laughable, yet the press pushed it.

He kept his cool. Eventually, when the reporter’s audacity finally rang his bell, he thanked her for the interview and graciously – but bluntly – reminded her that the media, NBC (the interviewing outlet), ABC, CBS, and CNN were just “crooked,” biased, and intentionally untruthful.

He sat for an hour in the come-and-go rain to indulge the reporter. She hounded him until he got up, saying, “You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press.” Bingo.

For me, the statement rings with truth. Respecting our First Amendment, he is right. Like Trump, if in quieter Maine, I have watched the press boldly ignore facts sent to them, publish stories false, misleading, transparently biased, and refuse revisions – unless libel law is suddenly mentioned.

Then, they continue merrily on. On the state level, they can be frustratingly unprofessional, often “in the tank” for Progressive Democrats or leftists, who themselves now push political violence.

The optimist, I always hope they will decide one day to hold themselves to a higher standard, at least feign objectivity, so I often talk with reporters offline or off camera, try to convey the way journalism used to be, how politics and society used to be. They listen, never much change.

Truth is that sixty years ago, the press was better, more real, at least half patriotic, loved the country, idealistic, supportive of veterans, honored history, the Bill of Rights, and tradition – from the nation’s Christian origins to WWI vets’ service – respectful of public service by all parties.

Those days are gone. There is some consolation. From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, the press was never unified professionals, often what TR called “muckrakers,” content to publish “junk news” for profit – so long as people bought it.

Thomas Jefferson – author of the Declaration – actually despised many in the press. He said, when they openly published libels about him, and I know the feeling, things like this: “Nothing can now be believed that is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that  polluted vehicle.”

Likewise, in Abraham Lincoln’s era, thick skin was needed to lead. Before, during, and after the Civil War – if not throughout Reconstruction – he was attacked as much as admired. He ignored it and talked about facts, policy, and strategy, as well as about the Bible and Constitution. As the nation learned, political violence is deadly, both on a national and personal level.

Theodore Roosevelt was often attacked, lampooned, falsely described, called names from imperialist to nationalist, and yet he was as quick a wit as any in the press, coining phrases for their misfire and libelous mischief.

TR mocked and inducted dishonest, lying journalists into his “Ananias Club,” named by TR for the New Testament figure struck down by God for lying. He used that instead of just “liar.” He railed against the “conscientious and unscrupulous” press, as well as coining “muckrakers.”

Reagan could find the press annoying, yet saw criticism as a check on abuses. They obviously favored Democrats, power concentration, and leftism from mild to communist, but he took a less confrontational approach until pushed. WWII veteran, he tried to educate them, using an abundance of stories, history, humor, and facts, which he called “stubborn things.”

Bottom line:  Conflict between history-changing leaders on one hand and press editors and reporters on the other is not new. It is constitutionally mandated. But hope springs eternal – just my optimism – that objectivity, positivity, and patriotism might return. Until then, Trump was right.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!