Donald Trump is known for his hyperbole, but now the the news media seem to have adopted his penchant for exaggeration. Throughout the election, journalists and news publications have warned voters that Trump is a threat to nearly everything.
Here are six things the news media have said Trump will “destroy” by the time he either wins or loses the presidency:
1. The U.S. economy: “Donald Trump’s economic plan would destroy the U.S. economy … In the event of a recession, Trump would treat the full faith and credit of the United States to a capricious hair cut.” — The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson, May 8
2. The global economy: “A President Trump could destroy the world economy … The United States needs to ensure that more of its own middle class shares in the benefits of globalization. Mr. Trump’s policies, however, could trigger a trade war, or wars, thus threatening the achievements of the past three decades without helping Americans who need it most.” — Washington Post editorial, Oct. 5
3. The Republican Party: “If someone wanted to destroy the Republican Party, at least for this presidential cycle, here’s what they could do: Find a famous celebrity with instant name recognition. He should be presidential-tall with an expansive ego that makes nuclear fission look tame. Convince him that his complete lack of qualifications and electoral experience is actually the best way to stand out in a crowded field of highly qualified politicians.” — McClatchy political columnist Andrew Malcolm, June 13
4. The Republican brand: “Will Donald Trump destroy the Republican brand? … At the moment it’s impossible to tell. It might be that Trump will tarnish the GOP brand for a generation or more, particularly among voters just now coming of age.” — Washington Post liberal blogger Paul Waldman, May 4
5. The free press and democracy: “Donald Trump just declared his intent to destroy American democracy … An attack on media law is a logical extension of Trump’s rhetoric, not to mention a threat to American democracy.” — Washington Post media critic Erik Wemple, Feb. 26
6. The country itself: “Donald Trump and his followers could destroy America even if he loses … Trump does not want to make America great again. He wants to destroy America so that he, alone, can rebuild it and subsume it under his control.” — Sarah Kendzior in business news website Quartz, Aug. 5
