“Shut up, little piggy.” “Ugly inside and out.” “stupid.” In just one week, Donald Trump has appealed all types of exclusions against journalists Who asked him uncomfortable questions. All women. These were not isolated revolutions, but rather part of his disciplinary strategy. But this escalation in verbal violence shows something deeper and more revealing: a president who is impatient, isolated, and uncomfortable with criticism.
The first was Catherine LucyFrom Bloomberg, who asked him about the Epstein case on Air Force One. “Shut up, little piggy.”Trump counterattacked. continued Mary Brucefrom ABC News, which was rated “terrible person” When he asked about the killing of the journalist in 2018 The Washington Post Jamal KhashoggiWhile Trump received the main accused of the crime, the Saudi heir Mohammed bin Salman. The president went further: He publicly threatened to revoke ABC’s licenseA direct warning to the chief journalists.
“These are the things that happen.”. Trump’s phrase when asked at that Oval Office news conference about Khashoggi’s crime will join his list of memorable definitions, from “fake news” to “alternative facts,” which have already been adopted by leaders around the world. A dangerous precedent. Next to Salman. The Republican leader seemed to envy his protection from the press Who had his guest.
Then came the attack Katie Rogersl New York Times. In response to an article that mentioned the deteriorating health that Trump could exhibit in office at the age of 79, she was described as… “Ugly inside and out”. and Nancy Cordesfrom CBS News, was subpoenaed “stupid” To ask him about the entry of Afghan refugees.
But the decorations came last Friday, when they appeared almost under the radar On the White House website there is a page titled “Media bias/media crime perpetrators“ (“Media Bias/Media Dissenters”). It is nothing more and nothing less Blacklist from the press. And with an aggravating factor: the takeover of a public service, such as a White House page. Eumera called at least 20 media outlets and 50 journalists, by first and last name, and even links to articles she called “biased” or simply “false.”
Everything is displayed on a very detailed page on the White House portal, like a scarlet letter on a government institutional website. State indication.to envy Manuel Adorniwho can hardly aspire to a channel My neighbor yourself “fake,7,8”, In turn inspired by the Kirchnerist 6,7,8. The latest edition was published just over a month ago and some chapters are still on the government’s official website.
The White House website allows you to browse a database containing articles and authors, Categorized under labels such as “biased,” “negligent,” and “leftist lunatic.”. It even offers a newsletter subscription that promises weekly updates “the truth”. This is the truth, according to the White House. It has an address where people can send “advice” and complaints against the media or journalists. A lot of investment in time, resources and technology for someone who believes that traditional media is irrelevant or on the way out.
In this first installment of “scrachados” is CBS News, Boston Globe and independent, On charges of “distorting” Trump’s position About the six lawmakers who encouraged the military to disobey Trump’s illegal orders. It even has a “Hall of Shame”which contains allegedly misleading articles published by, among others, CNN, MSNBC, and The Washington Post. The list of “usual suspects” includes targets of Trump’s multimillion-dollar lawsuits, such as ABC, CBS, Wall Street Journal, New York Times And AP.
The anger was immediate. Academics, press freedom advocates and former Republican and Democratic officials have warned that Trump has crossed another dangerous threshold. These are no longer mere outbursts of a temperamental president (“Trump is like that”), but rather a government tool aimed at intimidating the media.
“It is truly troubling. US taxes are being used to suppress freedom of expression, not to promote it. It is a kind of “permission” to attack journalists and undermine the media around the world“, he stated The Nation Katherine JacobsenCommittee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). “These practices Typical of authoritarian regimes. He added: “They have no place in democracy.”
Last week, Reuters published a comprehensive investigation showing the extent of Trump’s “revenge” since he came to power for the second time. nothing less than 470 individuals, organizations and institutions were subjected to reprisalsAt a rate of more than one per day. On 28 occasions he proposed Revoke the license of entire television networks, Angry at the coverage
the General approval Trump is at his lowest levels since his return to the presidency: 38%, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. This number has declined since the beginning of his second term, and he has lost two percentage points since the beginning of November alone. Even his tight grip on the Republican Party is showing cracks.
Analysts increasingly warn that Trump is retreating to his armored glass palace, where criticism hardly reaches him and, if it does, sparks anger.
Susan Glasera prominent columnist for new yorker, He published a revealing column last month in which he believes Trump creates an environment in which the White House operates without checks and balances. “There are only collaborators willing to flatter, competing to see who can offer the most extravagant praise.”as can be seen in any of the press conferences broadcast live. This is accompanied by what many describe “Kremlin” press rooms in the White House and the PentagonOnly journalists who ask friendly questions are accepted.
Jonathan Lemirecolumnist for atlantic, Trump is believed to have become increasingly isolated in recent weeks. “His social media activity is almost entirely limited to his own platform – incorrectly named Truth Social –“His travels rarely bring him closer to people.” Instead, he prefers to deal with billionaires who seek favors from his administration and do not hesitate to flatter him without shame.
“Never before has President Trump been in such a closed echo chamber.”Lemire said. In this context, the White House’s new position to target journalists becomes even more important and dangerous. First, insults are normalized. Then the threats are tolerated. Finally come the blacklists, and difficult questions become increasingly rare. The dream of autocrats around the world.