President Trump’s second term has brought with it a more combative approach to the American press. Supporters have cheered it as overdue payback for the media’s bias, but have the president’s recent actions—from threatening broadcast licenses to million-dollar lawsuits against outlets—crossed a line?
Emily Jashinsky, DC correspondent for UnHerd and host of the Afterparty podcast, and Haisten Willis, editor of Commonplace, debate whether Trump’s recent actions are what a uniquely hostile legacy media deserves, or worrying developments in press freedom. They dive into the history of how the press and the president have historically done business, share stories from their own time spent in the White House press pool, and end on the positive impact of new and alternative outlets for an industry where public trust is in free fall.
Further reading:
“How Far Is Too Far on Trump’s Media Pushback?“ by Haisten Willis
