By John Q. Hosedrinker We Are Normalizing Trump. Again.
As a liberal voter in Vermont who voted for Biden and will do so again, I have never once “normalized” Trump. It’s appalled me to see the media continuously give him a platform, even after his presidency ended. The media has been whoring themselves to this idiot since 2015, and they are doing it again.
When I read the headline “We Are Normalizing Trump. Again.”, I asked myself who this “we” is. Is it the general public? Is it the journalists? It’s clear from the comments that many people are frustrated with the media’s obsession with Trump. They see through the disingenuous articles that claim to critique the normalization of Trump while contributing to it themselves.
If the media wants to be honest, they should say: “WE, the media, are normalizing Trump. Help put a stop to us doing that because we can’t help ourselves and we’re useless.” It’s a shame that media outlets prioritize clicks and ad revenue over responsible journalism.
The reality is that Trump is a terrible businessman, a fascist, and has been accused of rape for decades. My opinion of him hasn’t changed in 30 years, and I refuse to normalize his behavior. But it seems like Trump’s obscenities have become the norm, even for people who hate his guts. Rather than treating him as an obscene abberation, the world continues to view him as a legitimate politician and contender for President. This is due to the constant media coverage, the thirst for sensationalism, and our morbid curiosity about what else he can get away with.
There’s a sense of arrogance permeating our society, where people were so sure that Trump would never get anywhere near the White House again. Just like in 2016, people were gleefully begging Trump to win the primary to face off against Clinton, unaware of the precedents he was creating that would have lasting consequences. We are sleepwalking towards another Trump administration, just like we did the first time.
It’s not just the media that is to blame. Even institutions and individuals have treated him with kid gloves. Some try to justify it, saying that he’s the President and these things take time. But the truth is, if any one of us had incited a riot that led to property destruction and death, we would have been arrested and imprisoned already. Trump should not be treated differently just because of his wealth and power.
The media loves Trump because he brings views. He’s a long trainwreck that attracts eyeballs, and they know that viewership means advertising means money. The news has become more about generating views than reporting the truth. This constant reporting on Trump inadvertently normalizes him and his behavior.
It’s frustrating to see the media use the term “we” when discussing the normalization of Trump. They were the ones normalizing him the whole time, and they can’t expect us to forget that. We are not the ones normalizing him; they are.
The cult-like following of Trump is disturbing. It’s unacceptable to believe that any person, in any position, can do no wrong or that their wrongs are justified. Claiming to be a true patriot while disregarding our basic principles of democracy is hypocritical. This modern-day cult surrounding Trump is like a larger version of the Branch Davidians, but mainstream.
The media has a responsibility to stop normalizing Trump. They need to focus on responsible journalism and resist the temptation to give him constant coverage. We, as consumers of news, also have a responsibility to demand better. We must support media outlets that prioritize honest reporting over sensationalism.
It’s time for the media to reflect on their role in normalizing Trump and make a conscious effort to change. We cannot afford another Trump presidency, and it’s up to us to hold the media accountable. This country deserves better than to be captivated by a dumpster fire of a human. Let’s stop normalizing Trump once and for all.