President Trump fought the media and, well, Trump won. After 100 days, this has been the president’s most visible achievement.
More Americans believe Trump’s word than the journalists he’s left black-and-blue. Altogether, 37 percent of Americans, according to a new poll by Morning Consult, say they trust the White House more than the press, while 29 percent chose the media.
While that’s a narrow margin, what’s telling isn’t the fact that Trump comes out ahead. It’s more significant that media trustworthiness has dropped to such a low ebb. In his first three months, Trump has secured a free hand and it will be difficult for the press to regain credibility quickly enough to do real oversight.
Line up ten Americans, and fewer than four of them (38 percent) will say they have “a lot” or “some” trust in press coverage of the Trump administration. Five others (52 percent) will dismiss that coverage completely.
An adversarial relationship between presidents and the press corps should be expected. It’s the reason why a bulletproof vest hangs symbolically in the office of the White House press secretary. But if past executives sniped at journalists, Trump has declared war. He’s shouted down reporters, called them “fake news” (and “very fake news”) and labeled the entire industry the “enemy of the people.”
And it’s worked.
More than half, 51 percent, think the national media “is out of touch with everyday Americans,” while just 28 percent say journalists “understand the issues everyday Americans are facing.” What’s more, 42 percent of those same readers report spotting “fake news.”
As Trump rounds the corner of his first 100 days, the media ought to review their own record. It’s true that the president hasn’t achieved much in the way of legislation but it seems he’s effectively muted the media.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
