Many Democrats are now advocating for more media coverage of former President Donald Trump, as compared to the backlash against him receiving too much airtime in 2016. Groups like American Bridge 21st Century are encouraging all voters to tune in to livestreams of Trump’s rallies, believing that seeing him in his raw and unfiltered form is the best ammunition against him. This shift in attitude towards Trump’s media presence is attributed to the fact that his poll numbers remain strong and he is leading Biden in head-to-head matchups.
Democrats argue that short social media clips or news stories cannot capture the full extent of Trump’s often rambling and extreme rhetoric during his lengthy rallies. They believe that watching a rally in its entirety can show how his rhetoric has grown more extreme and his mental faculties have declined since his presidency. While some voters may have a nostalgic view of Trump’s time in office, Democrats want to remind them of the chaos and instability that defined his tenure.
Despite concerns about the impact of deplatforming Trump from major social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, his return to the spotlight on Truth Social has reignited the debate about how to cover his activities. Some Democrats argue that the media should not sanitize Trump’s statements or present them in a way that detracts from their extreme nature. While groups like Indivisible may focus on emphasizing the stakes of the election rather than watching full rallies, there is a recognition of the importance of not glossing over the reality of Trump’s messaging.
The media’s coverage of Trump remains a contentious issue, with some outlets making decisions to cut away from his live statements or hiring figures closely tied to the Republican Party. Matt Bennett of Third Way acknowledges the challenge of balancing the need to expose Trump’s rhetoric with the risk of further polarizing audiences. Democrats are urged to remind people of who Trump truly is and not allow them to view his presidency through rose-colored glasses, emphasizing the importance of keeping the public informed about his words and actions.
Overall, there is a recognition among Democrats that exposing Trump’s rallies and speeches to a wider audience could serve as a deterrent by highlighting the extent of his extremist views and declining mental acuity. While the media grapples with how to cover Trump’s return to the spotlight, Democratic groups are aiming to ensure that voters are reminded of the chaos and instability that characterized his time in office. By not shying away from showcasing the darker aspects of Trump’s rhetoric, Democrats hope to shift the focus back to a comparison between Trump and Biden as individuals.
