Since Donald Trump’s emergence on the national political stage, many outlets have gone out of their way to cover everything the billionaire says or does on the campaign trail.
That level of coverage does not sit well with everyone, including rapper-turned-actor Common. While being interviewed by HuffPost Live at the Toronto International Film Festival, the “Glory” singer blasted the way certain outlets have given so much attention to Trump.
“I feel like the integrity of the media is gone in many areas,” Common told HuffPost Live host Josh Zepps. “Because when you choose to be like, ‘We’re going to show Donald Trump because we know it’s about numbers,’ it’s like, where is the integrity of the journalists who know and will challenge these thoughts so that the American people can see truth and really have a good opportunity to get behind someone who’s going to matter? Who’s going to really be about affecting change and improving this country?”
Common said that if the people choose Trump to be their president, despite his reservations about that idea, so be it. But he thinks the media “definitely has a responsibility” to not just fixate on one candidate, even one as quotable as Trump.
“Don’t just dwell on the spotlight and keep exploiting the popularity of him just for numbers, because eventually that’s going to just mess up the situation in the country if we do,” he said. “It’s feeding into the big monster.”
The Huffington Post happens to be one publication whose policy is in line with Common’s view on Trump coverage. The site announced in July that it would cover all Trump-related news in their entertainment section, as opposed to politics or news.
“Our reason is simple: Trump’s campaign is a sideshow,” wrote HuffPost Washington Bureau Director Ryan Grim and Editorial Director Danny Shea. “We won’t take the bait. If you are interested in what The Donald has to say, you’ll find it next to our stories on the Kardashians and ‘The Bachelorette.'”
This is not the first time Common has made politically charged statements. During his acceptance speech at the last year’s Oscars after winning Best Original Song for “Glory,” Common talked about how the bridge featured in the movie “Selma” is a “symbol of change.”
“Fifty years ago, this bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation, but now is a symbol of change. The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and social status … This bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion and elevated by love for all human beings.”
