Trump vs. The Media

August 14, 2016

Trump vs. The Media

“All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me – consciously or unconsciously. That’s to be expected.”
-Donald Trump

Happy August 14th, 2016!
August 14 is the 227th day of the year. There are 139 days remaining until the end of the year. This date is slightly more likely to fall on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday (58 in 400 years each) than on Wednesday or Thursday (57), and slightly less likely to occur on a Monday or Saturday (56).
85 days till the election. I don't know about you, but it seems to me as if this has been one of the longest election seasons in my lifetime. As I sat down to begin my blog today, believe it or not,

I'm listening to Barbra Streisand singing Happy Days are Here Again on the radio. I hope it's an omen.
Daily, we have been bombarded with the latest Trump Moment.

The idea for today's blog when I read the following this AM: Donald Trump took to Twitter Sunday morning, attacking The New York Times and the media as 'disgusting and corrupt' and blamed what he called dishonest reporting for his recent dip in the polls. (Source: AOL)

I don't think that this campaign would have gotten this far twenty-five years ago. Our culture

This entire campaign is like a Marx Brothers movie

has changed. Our media has changed...and, in my opinion, not for the better. Trump is a product of the Kardashian age. He is a television star running for POTUS and there are many who are entertained.
I am not one of those who is being entertained. Actually, I am appalled.

I write to discover what I think.

Daniel Boorstin

Leslie Moonves, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation, said "He may be wrong for the country, but he is good for ratings.". From the day last June when Donald and Melania descended down the escalator to announce his run for the presidency, the late night comics went to

town. He was fodder for a joke. There were many who discounted him. He would not fill out the proper paper work...He did...He would not make it through the debates, he did. As a matter of fact, there were sixteen other people running against him, he bullied each and every one of them right out of the school yard.
He began by coming up with nick names to taunt them with every time he acknowledged or referred to them with. Every time a reporter or a media outlet reported anything that Donald said, IF they agreed with him, they were GREAT. If

they didn't agree with them, he once again reverted to schoolyard antics.
In addition to that, he says one thing one day and when he is questioned on it, he either comes right out and says he didn't say it (even when we have tape to PROVE that he said it) OR he says that it was sarcasm or that the left media is twisting his words.
No, Mr. Trump, YOU are running for President. When you say something, OWN IT! Hook, line, and sinker. NOTHING you say should be left open to interpretation.

Will the REAL Donald Trump please stand up? Or has he already?

Because of reality television and social media, this campaign has played out like no other. We used to have news cycles. Now, we have Trump Moments. At 6 AM, 3 AM, or whenever the urge hits him, Trump send out a tweet. Instead of censoring the media, Donald, you need to censor yourself.
When I have something to say that might have some impact on another person, I have a rule of thumb. I run it by at least three people to get their feedback BEFORE I send it. By the time I get to the third person, I realize it was either not worth sending, needs to be amended, or does need to be sent.

I truly have not read too many of Donald's tweets that would fall into the last category. Most of the Tweets that we have seen since the beginning of this campaign are attacks or pleas for divisiveness.
As if the Tweets were not enough and have led practically every news program around the world, but sometimes Donald would call into live programs and immediately get a platform to speak. I think the media has been more than

generous to you Donald with the coverage you have received.
Every press conference or rally would be cut into to see what outrageous comments you would be making on any given day.
Early on in your campaign, your campaign manager,Corey Lewandowski said it clearly and plainly, Just Let Trump Be Trump. And you have. It has amazed me how many in your party, with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, at the top, saying, "We're going to wait and see if Trump pivots." Why should you pivot? You've already revealed to all of us who you truly are. Mrs. Clinton, please take a page from Lewandowski's playbook. Let Trump be Trump. Don't respond to him on any level. You have the support of millions including many in his own party. Fly High as he goes low to paraphrase another great lady.

The ALL SEEING Wizard of Oz

Speaking of Lewandowski, how wonderful that after he was fired, he is immediately hired by CNN to stump for Trump and to join him to give you fair coverage, Donald, they have Kayleigh McEnany AND your spokesperson Katrina Pierson. The three of them have hung on to every nugget you have given the American public. I have seen nothing like it since "God" handed Charlton Heston the Ten Commandments. You have done no wrong in their eyes and they are going to interpret for the American public what it is exactly that you've said as if you've spoken a foreign language that only you and your supporters can decipher. Too bad Robert Preston

Elmer Gantry - Burt Lancaster as preacher Elmer Gantry

is no longer with us to play you in the eventual movie. He did such a great job as con artist Harold Hill.
I always thought that the media was supposed to give candidates equal air time. There used to be an equal air time rule in media. There are not enough hours in the day to give Mrs. Clinton the same amount of time than Donald has received if she got her own network and ran 24/7 from here to election day. Donald, the media has been very good to you. Put on your big boy pants, own your actions and words and take responsibility for whatever happens instead of blaming everybody else!

Ryan and Tatum O'Neil, Paper Moon

Here are some Trump moments from the last week (Mostly TODAY!)
“Morning Joe's weakness is its low ratings. I don't watch anymore but I heard he went wild against Rudy Giuliani and #2A - sad and irrelevant!” Trump tweeted.

Certain Republicans who have lost to me would rather save face by fighting me than see the U.S.Supreme Court get proper appointments. Sad! 8/14/16 9:20PM EST

"Stay on message" is the chant. I always do - trade, jobs, military, vets, 2nd A, repeal Ocare, borders, etc - but media misrepresents! 8/14/16 8:20PM EST

I have always been the same person-remain true to self.The media wants me to change but it would be very dishonest to supporters to do so! 8/14/16 8:20PM EST

It is not "freedom of the press" when newspapers and others are allowed to say and write whatever

they want even if it is completely false! 8/14/16 1:30PM EST

Again, I urge you to READ, RE-READ, and TAKE NOTES! Some history should not be repeated.

As you can see, we have a LOT to be proud of. We also have a lot to be concerned about. Let's all agree to celebrate that pride in each other!

Please send your suggestions for future blogs to Richard@RichardSkipper.com

Thank you, to all mentioned in this blog for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give!

With grateful XOXOXs from YOUR pro-active friend,