After the White House released a list of 78 terrorist attacks it considered to be “underreported” on Monday, a host of journalists from David Ignatius to Anderson Cooper issued their fervent disagreement with that charge.
Certainly many in the media raised reasonable points of contention, arguing particular attacks included on the list, such as the shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando and in San Bernardino, California, were covered extensively.
Outlets such as The Hill and the Huffington Post published articles focusing on typos in the list. Congressman Mark Takano, D-Calif., chided the White House for misspelling “San Bernardino” in a tweet posted Monday night.
But while the press was busy tallying spelling errors like a first-grade teacher marking up a book report, every article outlets published on the story, whether focused on typos or more substantive angles, served only to keep the attacks fresh in people’s minds.
In essence, the media’s efforts to undermine the White House’s claims fulfilled their ultimate goal of increasing coverage.
On CNN’s “New Day,” Wisconsin Republican Congressman Sean Duffy told anchor Alisyn Camerota, “You’re playing right into [President Trump’s] hand. We’re having a conversation right now about … a pause on allowing individuals to come in from seven countries that are riddled with terrorists.”
After some back and forth, Duffy remarked, “You’re now airing on your network the greatest hits over the last couple of years of terror attacks that have taken place.
When Camerota asked, “We are taking the bait?” Duffy responded, “You are. Well done.”
He added, “It does remind America what’s at stake here.”
Given the media’s repeated inability to resist traps laid masterfully by the White House, perhaps members of the press should reconsider their coverage depicting the Trump administration as a bumbling collection of incompetent amateurs who misspell words and can’t turn on the lights in the cabinet room.
Sure, administration officials may be having a little trouble lighting up their workspace, but they’re certainly having no trouble lighting up the press.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
