The New York Times "news" team described Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally as a "Closing Carnival of Grievances, Misogyny and Racism." But what do you really think? There were a whole set of mudslinging headlines to cover the Sunday MAGA speeches in New York City.
CNN.com by Stephen Collinson: "Trump unveils the most extreme closing argument in modern presidential history"
POLITICO: "Trump’s New York homecoming sparks backlash over racist and vulgar remarks"
MSNBC.com by Steve Benen: "With racist Madison Square Garden rally, Trump and his allies prove Democrats’ point"
USA Today video: "Donald Trump rally at Madison Square Garden marked with racism and vitriol"
The first problem here is to presume Trump's speeches are unique in "vitriol." Reporters also use words like "insults and grievances," as if Democrats never insult Trump or air grievances. They never sound vitriolic against Trump, with all the warnings of Fascism and the End of Democracy?
CBS aired a mostly promotional interview with Kamala Harris, airing a screechy soundbite from Michelle Obama lecturing men that if they don't "get this election right," that "women will become collateral damage to your rage." Harris added: " "We have seen extraordinary harm and pain and suffering happen, because of what Donald Trump did in intending, and effectuating and overturning of Roe v. Wade." Sounds like a grievance with a side of vitriol.
The latest evening-news study by Rich Noyes found that since July 21, ABC, CBS and NBC have treated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris to 78 percent positive coverage, while Donald Trump drew 85 percent negative coverage. Most of the evaluative statements TV watchers heard about Harris weren’t about any specific policy or controversy, and nearly all of these general evaluations (90%) were positive, celebrating the candidate without regard for what she would do as president. They avoid the policy specifics and celebrate Harris as a potential triumph over racism and sexism.
Geoff Dickens underlined last week about how CBS (and the other networks) skipped story angles that would treat Harris as a controversial figure. These were the subjects:
Harris Dodges Question About Support for Taxpayer Funded Transgender Surgery for Illegal Aliens in Prison
Harris Ducks Question About Joe Biden’s Mental Decline
Harris’s Husband Doug Emhoff Reportedly Abused Ex-Girlfriend
Harris Admits She Remains Open to Reparations
Kamala Harris Accused of Plagiarism
Enjoy the podcast below, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
