The National Enquirer played a significant role in Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016, using its platform as a powerful political weapon to support him. The tabloid’s former publisher, David Pecker, testified about how the publication worked closely with the Trump campaign to manipulate and control the narrative. This included paying for stories that could be damaging to Trump and then burying them, violating campaign finance laws in the process. The Enquirer’s support for Trump went beyond standard journalistic practices, with the publication essentially acting as a propaganda arm for his campaign.
The Enquirer’s payment of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal for her story about an affair with Trump, which was never published, sparked controversy and raised concerns about illegal election interference. This type of deal, known as a “catch-and-kill,” is common in the tabloid news industry but had never been used to aid a presidential campaign before. The Enquirer’s parent company, American Media, later admitted to violating campaign finance laws and agreed to a non-prosecution deal with the federal government. The publication’s actions had the dual effect of providing Trump with free advertising and hiding damaging information from the public, further benefiting his campaign.
The Enquirer’s support for Trump extended beyond just burying negative stories; the publication also ran false hit pieces on his opponents to sway public opinion in his favor. This level of coordination and manipulation between a media outlet and a political campaign is unprecedented in American politics and raises questions about the freedom of the press and the influence of money in elections. The Enquirer’s tactics were not only unethical but also raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the role of the media in shaping public perception.
The Enquirer’s parent company was fined $187,000 by the Federal Election Commission for its campaign finance violations, while Trump’s campaign escaped sanction. This discrepancy in accountability highlights the loopholes and weaknesses in campaign finance laws that allow corporations and individuals to influence elections through backdoor deals and illegal coordination. The Enquirer’s actions exposed the vulnerabilities in the system and the need for stronger regulations to prevent similar abuses in future elections.
The Enquirer’s agreement to keep damaging information about Trump hidden, known as “tabloid gold,” was a valuable asset for his campaign. By controlling the narrative and manipulating public opinion through the tabloid’s extensive reach in major supermarket checkout lines, Trump was able to shape his image and deflect negative press. The Enquirer’s role as a propaganda tool for Trump demonstrates the power of media manipulation and the potential for outside influences to sway election outcomes. The repercussions of the Enquirer’s actions in 2016 continue to reverberate in discussions about media ethics, campaign finance, and the integrity of the democratic process.
Overall, the National Enquirer’s involvement in the 2016 election highlights the complex interplay between media, politics, and money in American society. The tabloid’s brazen disregard for journalistic integrity and campaign finance laws underscores the need for transparency and accountability in political campaigns. The Enquirer’s actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and influence in the media landscape and the importance of upholding democratic principles in the face of manipulation and corruption. The Enquirer’s legacy as a political weapon in the service of a single candidate raises important questions about the role of the press in a democratic society and the responsibilities of media organizations to uphold ethical standards and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
