Trump accuses Big Media of ‘illegal’ reporting, virtually abolishes VOA
President Trump has been a vocal critic of what he deems to be “fake news” for the past decade. He has accused major media outlets of biased reporting against him, and has even taken legal action against some, such as ABC News, CBS, and the Des Moines Register. In a recent speech at the Justice Department, Trump took his accusations a step further by claiming that outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post were engaged in “illegal” reporting.
While the president did not specify what exactly was illegal about their reporting, his comments drew significant attention. The New York Times reported that Trump veered off his prepared remarks to criticize lawyers and former prosecutors by name, accusing them of trying to destroy him and labeling former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. the head of a “crime family.” This speech marked a departure from the norm, as it is rare for a president to visit the Justice Department and make such inflammatory remarks.
Interestingly, both the Times and the Post chose not to address Trump’s “illegal” reporting charge in their coverage of the speech. This decision could be interpreted in two ways. One possibility is that they view the accusation as false and unworthy of attention, opting to deflect criticism rather than engage with it. Alternatively, they may fear potential legal repercussions from the president, given his history of lawsuits, and are therefore hesitant to challenge him on this issue.
In a separate move, President Trump recently issued an executive order effectively dismantling Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe, two government-funded media outlets. Trump accused these organizations of being part of the radical left and ordered over 1,300 journalists and staff members to be placed on indefinite leave. This decision has sparked debate about the role of these outlets in today’s media landscape, particularly in light of Trump’s friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The VOA, which was launched during World War II to counter enemy propaganda, has a long history of independent journalism. However, the recent layoffs have left many journalists out of a job, prompting concerns about the future of objective reporting. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the fate of government-funded media outlets like VOA remains uncertain.
In conclusion, President Trump’s ongoing battle against what he perceives as fake news has once again brought the issue of media bias and accountability to the forefront. The decision to dismantle VOA and the lack of response from major news outlets to his “illegal” reporting charge highlight the challenges facing journalism in an increasingly polarized political climate.
