I wondered when a host would ask the most critical question. Should reporters have withheld the McCarthy tapes to make a great promo for a future book?
Ayman Mohyeldin asked the most appropriate question about the Kevin McCarthy tapes, where he implied Trump was guilty and would suggest that he resign.
Danielle Moodie gave the correct perspective.
“It [the tape] should have been released when it was obtained,” said #WOKEAF podcast host Danielle Moodie. “I actually am tired of journalists holding on to pertinent information that could change the course of history so that they could make money so that they can sell books. We’re talking about our democracy here. This is not something that is light, something that should be overlooked. And journalists, media has a responsibility to tell the truth, to inform the people so that we have an informed citizenry that can make decisions. How can we make decisions about the Republican Party and how they have devolved if we don’t have all of the information that is necessary because you want to sell a book, right?”
And then Ms. Moodie hit the coup de grace.
“Like at some point in time,” Ms. Moodie said. “You have to put your country ahead of capitalism.”
Because these guys are journalists, they are privy to the access that afforded them information none of us see. As such, it is incumbent on them to do their jobs as journalists and release that information to the American people so they can act and vote appropriately.
When many blamed the media for President Trump’s political success, this is one of the reasons. They made Trump plausible. Plausibility became an acceptable reality. And the fact that Trump is still a viable presidential candidate is a continuation of terrible mainstream journalism.