Media Analysis

CNN Surrenders to Trump CNN Surrenders to Trump

The corporate media’s commitment to fighting autocracy proves fickle.

Jan 24, 2025 / Jeet Heer

President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration, in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.

Trump’s Supposed Unity Message Is a Gloating Threat of MAGA Triumphant Trump’s Supposed Unity Message Is a Gloating Threat of MAGA Triumphant

The new president uses shock and awe to claim a mandate over demoralized Democrats.

Jan 20, 2025 / Jeet Heer

A reporter works in front of a home burned by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 9, 2025.

The Media’s Mega-Failure on LA’s Mega-Fires The Media’s Mega-Failure on LA’s Mega-Fires

Even as the LA fires still burn, most journalism is not representing how the climate crisis is driving increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather.

Jan 16, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard and Kyle Pope

Donald Trump newspaper

The Media’s Plan for Trump’s Next Term: “Lifestyle Coverage” The Media’s Plan for Trump’s Next Term: “Lifestyle Coverage”

On the eve of the president-elect’s inauguration, mainstream outlets have announced their intention to retreat from politics.

Jan 15, 2025 / Chris Lehmann

Let’s Cool It With the Hot Takes

Let’s Cool It With the Hot Takes Let’s Cool It With the Hot Takes

Much of the immediate commentary on the election turned out to be wrong. If we want to avoid the same outcome in the future, we'd better slow down.

Jan 14, 2025 / Column / Katha Pollitt

Donald Trump appears remotely for a sentencing hearing with his attorney Todd Blanche on January 10, 2025.

Despite Trump’s Felony Conviction, Prosecutorial Liberalism Has Failed Despite Trump’s Felony Conviction, Prosecutorial Liberalism Has Failed

When voters are consumed with anti-system rage, a criminal rap sheet is no barrier to high office.

Jan 13, 2025 / Jeet Heer

Shredding while Gazans burn: Secretary of State Antony Blinken performs “Rockin’ in the Free World” in Kyiv on May 14, 2024.

Antony Blinken’s Legacy Is Buried Under the Rubble of Gaza Antony Blinken’s Legacy Is Buried Under the Rubble of Gaza

Despite valedictory speeches, the secretary of state will be remembered not for his successes—or his guitar playing—but for the humanitarian catastrophe he aided and abetted.

Jan 13, 2025 / Jonathan Guyer

The Worlds of Noam Chomsky

The Worlds of Noam Chomsky The Worlds of Noam Chomsky

If ordinary Americans know one critic of the American Empire, it’s almost certainly Chomsky.

Jan 13, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Daniel Bessner

President-elect Donald Trump at a podium.

The Trump Sanewashing Begins Anew The Trump Sanewashing Begins Anew

New year, same media strategy: Downplay Trump’s most dangerous, extreme ideas as “trolling” or even “branding.”

Jan 8, 2025 / Joan Walsh

A view of the US Capitol through security fencing.

When Will We Make January 6 a Day of Commemoration? When Will We Make January 6 a Day of Commemoration?

We are not taking what happened in 2021 seriously enough.

Jan 6, 2025 / Joan Walsh

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