OPINION:
A recent Mediaite headline ran this way: “Maskless Ron DeSantis High-Fives Attendees at Packed Trump Rally, Rubs His Nose With Hand.”
Is this really where we’re at, America? At a place and time where a Republican who rubs his nose in public makes national news headlines? For, umm, rubbing his nose?
It’s hard to decide which is worse for the health of America: the coronavirus or the media. The more the COVID-19 numbers are put to the spotlight and tested — the more it’s looking like the anti-Donald Trumpers in the media are actually driving the coronavirus lockdowns. The more it’s looking like it’s the media, not the actual virus, that’s worse for America.
“Maskless Ron DeSantis,” the headline screamed.
“Rubs His Nose With Hand,” the headline wraps.
And the story didn’t deviate from that so-called drama.
“A maskless Governor Ron DeSantis was seen on video high-fifing numerous MAGA supporters along a rope line at President Donald Trump’s rally in Sanford, Florida — and seconds later, he conspicuously rubbed his nose,” the piece stated.
Captured. Caught. Capture and caught red-handed rubbing his nose. Dang. Stop the presses. Call the CDC. Alert the authorities.
My, how the media have pivoted into watchdog mode under this president, under this administration.
“Maskless Gov. Ron DeSantis slaps high-fives with people at Trump’s Florida rally,” 10 Tampa Bay reported, capturing the offense on YouTube video for all to see.
“Trump, maskless, leaves White House for first campaign rally in Florida,” AFP News Agency reported, catching Trump in the act of being maskless on YouTube video for all to see.
“GOP Sen. Mike Lee Speaks Maskless At Amy Coney Barrett Hearing,” Forbes wrote in an expose exposing Lee’s exposed face at a time when he’s not supposed to be going about with an exposed face.
Is this the new standard of journalism — capturing the unmasked to shame them in print and for video?
Honestly, journalism used to be an honorable profession, filled with reporters who wanted nothing more than to seek and expose corruption, money mismanagement, political scandals, secret wheelings and dealings of elitists and political classes — things that matter to the people. Things that make a difference to society. Things that actually help preserve and maintain and even save the dignity of the Constitution, the dignity of the individual, the dignity of the country. Now?
It’s about exposing the nose-rubbers. Those dirty, dastardly nose-rubbers. And their little face-maskless aides and colleagues, too.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.