Lawrence O’Donnell nails the news media for their dereliction of duty in giving Donald Trump a lying pass as they treat Biden and Kamala Harris by a different standard.
O’Donnell destroys the news media.
Podcasts (Video — Audio)
The American media landscape is again on trial, and Lawrence O’Donnell has emerged as one of its most scathing critics. In a recent segment, O’Donnell tore into the mainstream media for their coverage of Donald Trump and kamala-harris, drawing stark parallels to the 2016 election. His critique exposes the media’s persistent failure to learn from past mistakes, which many believe was pivotal in Donald Trump’s ascent to the presidency. O’Donnell’s dissection of the media’s role in shaping public perception is a critical reminder of the power and responsibility journalists hold in a democracy.
In 2016, the media’s obsession with Trump was palpable. The networks, driven by ratings and profits, gave Trump unprecedented free airtime. This relentless coverage often lacked the critical scrutiny necessary for a candidate with such a controversial and polarizing background. As O’Donnell points out, this wasn’t just a case of poor journalism—it was a dereliction of duty. The media’s complicity in amplifying Trump’s message, often without adequate fact-checking or context, contributed to his rise and, ultimately, to his victory.
O’Donnell’s critique is particularly damning because it highlights a systemic issue within the media industry: the prioritization of profit over truth. This is not a new phenomenon. Les Moonves, the former CEO of CBS, infamously admitted that while Trump was not good for America, he was great for CBS. This cynical calculus, where ratings and revenue are prioritized over responsible journalism, continues to plague the media today.
Fast forward to 2024, and it seems the media is repeating its past mistakes again. O’Donnell’s analysis of the recent coverage of Trump and Harris indicates that the lessons of 2016 have not been learned. Trump’s recent press conference, where he was given over an hour of uninterrupted airtime to spout lies and misinformation, is a glaring example of the media’s failure to adapt. Despite the blatant falsehoods and distortions, networks aired his speech in full, giving him a platform to spread his message unchecked.
O’Donnell’s frustration is palpable. He points out that even when networks attempted to fact-check Trump, it was too little, too late. The damage had already been done. The media’s inability to challenge Trump in real-time, to hold him accountable for his words is not just a failure of journalism—it is a failure of democracy. By allowing Trump to dominate the airwaves, the media is once again giving him the legitimacy and visibility that he so desperately craves.
But O’Donnell’s critique goes beyond Trump. He also aims to examine the media’s treatment of Kamala Harris, highlighting a glaring double standard. While Trump is given a free pass to lie and manipulate, Harris is scrutinized and marginalized. The fact that her speech was not broadcast live, while Trump’s was, speaks volumes about the media’s priorities. This discrepancy in coverage not only undermines Harris’s campaign but also perpetuates the very sexism and racism that the media claims to despise.
O’Donnell’s call to action is clear: the media must do better. The American public deserves more than spectacle and sensation; they deserve truth and accountability. The media’s role is not just to report the news but to provide context, challenge power, and inform the electorate. The consequences are dire when the media fails in this role, as it did in 2016 and is doing again in 2024.
However, there is a message of hope. Independent media, free from the constraints of corporate interests, has the potential to fill the void left by mainstream outlets. Independent journalists, bloggers, and commentators are stepping up to provide the critical analysis the public needs. They hold power to account in ways the mainstream media has failed to do. That is why independent media must be supported to ensure there is a real people-driven news media.
O’Donnell’s takedown of the media’s coverage of Trump and Harris is a stark reminder of the stakes in this election. The media’s role in shaping public opinion is more critical than ever, and the need for responsible, fact-based journalism has never been greater. As we move closer to the 2024 election, the media must rise to the occasion or risk repeating past mistakes. The American public deserves better, and it is up to the media to deliver.