Topic: Trump Coverage

A retrospective look at the 2015 election cycle recalls the Huffington Post's decision to cover Donald Trump's campaign in the "Entertainment" section rather than "Politics." Ryan Grim, then the Washington bureau chief, argued Trump was not a serious candidate. This strategy is cited as a major media miscalculation that failed to recognize the political movement behind the candidate.

The hosts debate whether the news of Bill Cosby's release from prison was used as a "distraction" from Donald Trump's visit to the U.S. border. They analyze the 3x3 morning show coverage, noting a heavy focus on entertainment news over substantive global events.

A donor from Michigan expressed concerns regarding the amount of time dedicated to Donald Trump on the show, leading to a discussion about the nature of media deconstruction. The hosts argued that they do not have a "Trump segment" but must analyze him as he is the primary focus of the mainstream media they critique. They emphasized that the show's goal is to examine the media's reaction to events rather than the events themselves.

A retrospective look at 2015 audio clips highlights early skepticism regarding Donald Trump's presidential aspirations. The segments recall how the Huffington Post relegated Trump news to its entertainment section and how pundits predicted a Jeb Bush victory. The hosts reflect on the accuracy of their past political analysis compared to mainstream media narratives.

Donald Trump's recent speech in Montana is described as a high-energy performance akin to a comedy act. The media's strategy of covering these rallies with outrage is compared to the 2016 election cycle, which the hosts believe ultimately benefits Trump. Observations are made regarding Trump's physical stamina and his ability to entertain large crowds for over an hour.

First Lady Melania Trump reappeared at FEMA headquarters after a 26-day absence following a medical procedure. The media's intense scrutiny of her absence is contrasted with how a Democratic First Lady might be treated. The hosts engage in light speculation regarding her appearance, discussing the use of Botox and the "synthetic" look of public figures in high-definition video.

The hosts argue that while their show's format remains consistent, the media landscape has shifted 180 degrees from fawning over the previous administration to hostility toward President Trump. They posit that for some listeners, the stress of modern news cycles and the show's deconstruction of it may be negatively impacting their physical and mental health.

The media and Senator Marco Rubio mocked President Trump for his manner of drinking from a water bottle during a televised address. The hosts discuss Trump's known germaphobia and the squirrel-like way he held the bottle with both hands.

A compilation of news clips illustrates the media's reaction to President Donald Trump's 77-minute solo press conference. While critics and news outlets labeled the event as unhinged and disorganized, the hosts suggest the coverage was exaggerated and failed to capture the entertaining nature of the performance.

Donald Trump announced a $2 million per week ad campaign, a move that analysts suggest is a tactic to generate even more free media coverage. By simply announcing the intent to spend money, Trump dominates the news cycle. His strategy also involves targeting Bill Clinton's past to neutralize him as a surrogate for Hillary Clinton.