It matters less what Trump thinks about the media than what the public does

News outlets went into a frenzy over Trump’s latest tweet which questioned whether NBC deserves its broadcast license. Many see this as a threat or attack not just on the media, but on free speech as a whole.

However, Trump might not be the media’s biggest area of concern.

Data from Pew Research Center shows that three generations — Millennials, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and even the Silent Generation to a degree — are increasingly dissatisfied with national news media. With opinion already low in 2010, each generation saw a decrease in the percent who see the media having “a positive effect on the way things are going in this country today” in 2015. On average of all the generations, only 25.5 percent see the media being a positive influence.

Millennials’ ratings of news media, religious organizations decline
Now, personally, I find Trump’s comments concerning. Setting aside the debate on whether or not the tweet constitutes a direct attack, the president even questioning the legitimacy of a main news organization can be chilling. It’s one thing to criticize and debate and hold accountable, and it’s an entirely different to suggest shutting them down.

Still, Trump is merely a loud voice for a widespread opinion. He’s tapping into a frustration that’s been growing for the past half decade — at least. Trump cannot unilaterally dismantle the fourth estate. But if he can harness the disillusionment of news consumers, and maintain their support, that’s powerful. Mainstream media should worry less about Trump and more about repairing its reputation with the public.

Gabriella Muñoz is a commentary desk intern with the Washington Examiner and a student at Georgetown University.