By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Amidst rumors of Howard Stern’s contract negotiations with SiriusXM, Donald Trump weighed in with a series of cutting remarks. Trump, who once frequently appeared on Stern’s show, claimed to not have heard the radio host’s name in a long time, suggesting Stern’s career had declined. He attributed Stern’s perceived downfall to his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and also stated that Stern’s ratings have gone down since he “went woke”. This marks the latest instance of Trump publicly criticizing his former friend, highlighting a significant shift in their relationship.
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Trump twists the knife, and this time it seems aimed at Howard Stern, with rumors swirling about the shock jock’s potential departure from SiriusXM. The whole situation has an undeniable air of a decades-long feud coming to a head, a rivalry that has captivated listeners for years.
The question, posed as a loaded suggestion, hints at Trump’s satisfaction with the possibility of Stern’s show ending. The query, framed by a reporter, seems more like a softball lobbed over the plate for Trump to knock out of the park. It’s a classic move, using a media narrative to score political points, a tactic that isn’t exactly surprising from someone who has thrived on drama and controversy. This plays to the narrative of the “hate Trump” model going out of business.
The connection between Trump and Stern is complex, filled with past insults and history that has been brought back up. The shared past, including Trump’s appearances on Stern’s show, which led to some very controversial comments, makes the current situation all the more intriguing. There’s a kind of delicious irony at play here.
It’s important to remember that Stern’s contract is up for renewal, which, in any business, inevitably leads to speculation and negotiation. However, the timing of these rumors and Trump’s comments, strongly suggest a deliberate attempt to amplify any negative publicity.
It’s pretty clear that Trump enjoys wielding this kind of power and the chance to diminish someone who has been critical of him. This also serves as a message for the media: stay in line, or face the consequences.
Of course, the underlying accusations, particularly those referencing the Epstein files, are explosive. Whether there’s any truth to such claims remains to be seen. They only add fuel to the fire of an already heated situation. These are serious accusations, and they underscore the intensely personal and often acrimonious nature of the feud.
The core issue isn’t necessarily about cancellation, as Stern has been talking about retiring for a long time, but rather about using this moment to publicly undermine and denigrate a perceived enemy. Stern’s net worth and professional success, make it clear that any departure wouldn’t be a financial disaster, nor would it affect his ability to remain a media power player.
Regardless, the fact that someone in Trump’s position would gloat over a potential professional setback for a media figure is, at the very least, troubling. This behavior is consistent with a pattern of behavior, and serves as a message to other media members who may be critical of him. It’s a display of political bullying.
The fact that the so-called “anti-cancel culture” movement would attempt to celebrate the potential downfall of one of its critics is a blatant display of hypocrisy. Stern has a large audience, and to imply that his potential departure is due to Trump’s influence is quite the stretch.
In a world of constant political warfare, this episode serves as a reminder of the deep divisions that exist and the lengths to which individuals will go to try and gain an advantage. Whether or not Stern is actually going to leave SiriusXM remains to be seen. The bigger story is the Trump’s attempt to twist the knife and fuel the narrative.