tRump is a Character.

[njhoneybadger]

That is why the mainstream news media and its stenographers have such a difficult time understanding the danger that he represents and the great harm he has done to the United States and the world. The fact that Trump is a performer and a symbol is also why his supporters love him. Trumpism is not about material politics per se, but rather emotions and identity. That fact is also all too often missed by traditional journalists and pundits.

We are used to thinking about politics as a function of belief, a belief in some ideology or some leader.

That’s not what theater is. Theater is suspension of disbelief and it’s a willing suspension of one’s faculties to say, “Hold on. That’s nonsense! That’s not true!” One cannot enter into the performance if you don’t turn off that part of your brain. That’s what we do when we go to the theater or the movies.

Trump’s supporters have entered into a deep state of suspension of disbelief, which is why traditional journalism has little to no power against him and his supporters. Traditional journalism is based on claims and facts and evaluating them in an effort to find the truth. But if there is this suspension of disbelief, then those rules do not apply. Nothing is disbelieved anymore. Critical thinking has been suspended. Such a situation in terms of news and politics and reality is so toxic because there is no distinction between fantasy and reality.
Fintan O'Toole

[unblock]

1. that is a great way of thinking about it.

of course, journalism has failed in part because it isn't being practiced well. basic journalism includes avoiding sources that lie to you, and donnie should have been avoided like the plague long before he hit 16,000 lies or whatever he's up to now.

at this point, all the media accomplishes when they report yet another donnie lie is they reinforce the stereotypes and social heirarchy donnie wants to push -- men over women, whites over blacks, etc.

it's no longer news that he lies, all they're doing is further etching it into our brains as to a relative social status based on idiotic distinctions like that. in short, they're serving his interests.

good journalism includes editorial distinctions, like making the headline "donnie lies again" instead of quoting the actual lie up front. the newsworthy thing is that the president is a liar, racist, sexist, etc. the actual quote only furthers the racism, sexism, etc.

good journalism also includes trying to find the facts and the truth, not giving equal or greater time to a party whose members can be counted on to lie and take a completely biased position every single time.


it would be interesting indeed to see him covered as an act. critiqued as an entertainer. two thumbs down, no one laughed, a sitting novation.

best of all would be "not worth watching". ooooh, he'd hate that....

[njhoneybadger]

2. Journalism is now a cat and mouse game

If they kill the mouse then they can't play with it.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Just because you are a character

[njhoneybadger]

4. Good one, what movie is that from?

[keithbvadu2]

5. Pulp Fiction

[lunatica]

6. Too bad we can't switch channels or turn it off

Unfortunately it isn’t just an act. It’s a con and we’re the mark. It’s a carnival and he’s the barker. This type of politicking is as old as the hills because it works. Especially when there’s no subtlety involved.