By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Federal revenue in recent years has been around $4.7 trillion, with customs fees typically accounting for only about 2% of that total. Even if tariff revenue were to double or even double again, it would still represent a small fraction of the overall federal revenue. The majority of federal revenue comes from personal income tax (about half) and payroll taxes (about a third), dwarfing the impact of tariff revenue. The lack of these crucial figures in the original article obscures the true scale of the revenue sources.
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The media’s approach to covering Donald Trump has become a critical issue, and it’s not just about fairness; it’s about the very health of our democracy.
The core problem stems from the corporate ownership of major media outlets. These are businesses, and their priorities, often dictated by billionaire owners, are not necessarily aligned with objective truth-telling. Instead of providing unbiased reporting, we frequently see panels skewed by the inclusion of aggressive right-wing pundits, often balanced by less assertive voices from the left. This is not about providing a balanced perspective; it’s about promoting a specific agenda.
The language used in reporting, the words chosen by editors, often subtly favor the right. Anyone with genuinely progressive views risks being sidelined or even losing their job, which sends a clear message about the kind of perspectives that are welcome. The media’s definition of “fair” seems to have morphed into a practice of kid-glove treatment and avoiding criticism. But is “fairness” to Trump even possible? Holding him accountable for his actions would be the true definition of fairness, especially given the severity of the accusations against him.
It is a fact that the media often struggles to call out lies as such. The constant repetition of unsubstantiated claims as “fake news” by his supporters makes any attempt at factual reporting an uphill battle. This normalisation of Trump’s behaviour has serious consequences. The media’s reluctance to confront this behaviour directly allows it to continue.
The influence of large media conglomerates – Meta, X, News Corp, and Sinclair – is also a significant factor. They shape the narrative, forcing smaller outlets to react rather than lead. The recent capitulation of CBS News, with Trump’s imposition of a “komissar”, is a stark example of the pressures at play. When major news organizations can no longer be trusted to be objective, the ability of the public to make informed decisions is severely compromised.
A particularly dangerous aspect of this situation is the concept of “fairness” applied to a figure who operates outside the bounds of decency and the law. Treating Trump’s actions as if they are just a matter of political disagreement sanitizes truly abhorrent behaviour, and, in doing so, undermines the principles of honest and ethical reporting. The media’s failure to consistently and forcefully highlight Trump’s alleged crimes, like his reported ties to a known criminal, and others, is a glaring omission, leaving the public in the dark.
The media is being controlled by billionaires who are not interested in the truth, only in protecting their investments. It’s not about striving for fairness but rather about staying in the good graces of those in power. The media’s focus is on staying in the game, even if it means compromising their principles. When outlets lose access to the White House, it will be straight out of a fascist playbook – report favorably or become an enemy.
The media should return to their core responsibility: telling the truth. It is time to report the facts and call out lies without hesitation. By reporting lies alongside the relevant facts, the public is granted the opportunity to make an informed decision for themselves. The media has failed to do this consistently, and we are now facing the real possibility of losing our democracy. They have to stop covering for him. They are not being “fair,” they are covering for him, just as their bosses have told them to do.
The old media is gone. The ones calling themselves media are just public relations firms for various industries, corporations and billionaires. We have to use information networks outside of their influence that are more organic to combat the negative influence of the media.
The media’s focus has been on ratings and profits. They will never act in a way that challenges the wealthy and powerful. The media is not trying to be fair, it is marching under orders from the billionaires. The only solution is to focus on the truth.