NEWS AND OPINION:
Relentless, hostile media coverage of President Trump and his administration could be reaching the saturation point. The public appears weary, wary and quite possibly ready to move on — hungry, perhaps, for credible news coverage over biased caterwaul.
“Unhinged coverage of Trump is hurting the media,” writes Kyle Smith, a columnist for the New York Post who has advice for journalists.
“Turn down the volume. Unclench your fist. Turn the dial back down from 11. Trump isn’t going anywhere for a while. Deal with it,” Mr. Smith says, noting that “the lines between news media, lifestyle media and flat-out activism have faded into irrelevance.”
Some conservative analysts have suggested that unprecedented negative coverage of Mr. Trump is actually a symptom of panic in the press, now faced with the president’s accomplishments and his unexpected resilience. Journalists appear to believe that shrill distractions and strategic narratives will mask good news from the public.
Well, maybe not.
“As of last month, still only 48 percent of Americans said they trusted the media, with 45 percent saying they have ’hardly any’ confidence in it. In other words, it’s basically a coin flip as to whether or not any given American thinks the media is just making stuff up. They aren’t, usually. But with every fashion glossy and sitcom star still beating a drum for Hillary Clinton a year after the election, while bashing Trump and everything he stands for from the front page to the sports section, can you blame people for losing respect for the press?” asks Mr. Smith.
“The media are correct in thinking they have an important duty in the Trump era. But the people are correct in noticing that the media is filtering everything through an obsessive hatred for Trump,” he says.
TRUMP’S AUTHENTIC ART OF THE DEAL
“President Trump’s much-derided Asian tour earlier in the month received widespread criticism in the mainstream media. What they won’t report is that, like it or not, his visit is already paying dividends. Actually, despite the media snark, the trip was a big success from Trump’s perspective, especially on trade. While Trump was conferring with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. companies announced some $250 billion in deals with China — a clear sign China wants to open its markets even more,” points out Investors Business Daily in a new editorial.
“A more recent example was China’s decision, announced on Thanksgiving, to slash import taxes on some 187 consumer goods,” the news organization says, noting that when the cuts kick in Friday, they drop from an average of 17.3 percent to an average of 7.7 percent.
CONTINUED DEMOCRATIC TURMOIL
The Democratic National Committee raised $3.9 million in October, the lowest monthly amount in over a decade.
“The year-to-date numbers are grim as well: So far in 2017, the DNC has raised a total of $55 million and spent all but $5 million, while racking up a $3.2 million debt. The Republican National Committee, on the other hand, has raised $111 million, against no debt,” reports National Review analyst Philip H. Devoe who says the paltry fundraising numbers indicate a lack of support for the DNC because of its conduct in the 2016 party primaries.
He predicts November’s report will be even worse following Donna Brazile’s claims of “party corruption” in her new tell-all book “Hacks,” which was critical of Hillary Clinton in no uncertain terms. Changes could be afoot for the Democratic Party.
“This is why they’re so eager to push Hillary off the stage,” says Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit.com and a syndicated columnist.
Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has also suggested that the aforementioned Ms. Brazile was purposefully critical of Mrs. Clinton in order “to clear the decks” for a White House run by Michelle Obama in 2020.
SCIENCE CORNER: THE COFFEE FACTOR
Drinking coffee is good for the health, says The BMJ, a British medical journal which analyzed over 200 academic studies on the subject.
“Drinking coffee was consistently associated with a lower risk of death from all causes and from heart disease, with the largest reduction in relative risk of death at three cups a day, compared with non-coffee drinkers. Increasing consumption to above three cups a day was not associated with harm, but the beneficial effect was less pronounced. Coffee was also associated with a lower risk of several cancers, including prostate, endometrial, skin and liver cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes, gallstones and gout. The greatest benefit was seen for liver conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver,” the journal said, adding that there were also “beneficial associations” between coffee consumption and Parkinson’s disease, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
A MELANIA MOMENT
First lady Melania Trump continues to be a gracious, positive presence at the White House.
On Monday, she welcomes local children for a first look at the amazing holiday decorations now ready for the Christmas season. Mrs. Trump will also join the kiddos for crafts and convivial moments, accompanied by White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford, executive pastry chef Susie Morrison, and chief floral designer Hedieh Ghaffarian.
POLL DU JOUR
• 45 percent of Americans say the current Congress has accomplished less than normal; 34 percent of Republicans, 43 percent of independents and 56 percent of Democrats agree.
• 26 percent overall say Congress has accomplished “about the same” as it normally does; 41 percent of Republicans, 23 percent of independents and 18 percent of Democrats agree.
• 6 percent say Congress has accomplished more than usual; 9 percent of Republicans, 6 percent of independents and 5 percent of Democrats agree.
• 22 percent overall are unsure how much Congress has accomplished; 16 percent of Republicans, 27 percent of independents and 21 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 19-21.
• Ballyhoo and balderdash to jharper@washingtontimes.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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