Last month, I received my press credentials in the mail. I became a member of the Nation Writers Union shortly thereafter. I applied to colleges with majors preparing me to become what I’ve always dreamed of becoming—a journalist.
Now, my dreams are being actualized, and my future career feels closer than ever. I heard that Donald Trump had won the 47th election the morning after Election Day. I never could have imagined the American people overlooking his two impeachments and a civil conviction for sexual assault—which cost him $88.3 million, and the 34 felony convictions. Nonetheless, I am now in a state of panic because of the threats and promises of Donald Trump to the press.
Trump has thrown a significant wrench in plans. I should say that I was thoroughly surprised by his victory, especially in the popular vote. Regardless of postmortem analysis, the press must now make a plan for the future.
Trump’s anti-news language: “fake news,” “rigged” and “dishonest” have significantly harmed the work of journalists. His threat against the press has been building from his years in office and has only been exacerbated by his re-election campaign through criminal trials and outrageous social media posts and claims.
After Harris’ 60-minute interview with CBS, which he claimed was edited, he spoke at a Colorado rally, saying, “CBS gets a license. And a license is based on honesty. I think they have to take their license away. I do.” The government does not license national television stations, only local radio and TV. The threat against the news that holds Trump accountable is terrifying.
After his diatribe against the CBS, he sued them. In the filing, Trump’s team of attorneys wrote, “However, even with aid from the Fourth Estate [Journalism], Kamala’s campaign has been unable to conceal embarrassing weaknesses, including her habit of uttering ‘word salad,’—i.e., jumbles of exceptionally incoherent speech that have drawn disapproval even from dyed-in-the-wool Democratic commentators such as Van Jones, David Axelrod and other mainstream media contributors.”
Trump believes that news, bound together by facts, is out to get him. During the first and only debate between Harris and Trump, he was frequently fact-checked. After news outlets and viewers generally regarded Harris as the debate’s victor, Trump blamed ABC for purposely fact-checking him, stating, “I mean, to be honest, they’re a news organization. They have to be licensed to do it. They oughta take away their license for the way they do that.”
He wants full and utter control. Since Trump won the popular vote, it would not surprise me if he began consolidating his power because he doesn’t think anyone will check him—except journalists. Suppose he plans to implement Project 2025, an allied manifesto written by those close to the Trump administration—including Trump’s pick for director of the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) Russell T. Vought and former White House personal chief John McEntee—and no news stations can cover his national abortion ban or elimination of the Department of Education and Commerce. He won’t stop there.
A study conducted by the International Women’s Media Foundation found that 36% of journalists surveyed reported being threatened or experiencing physical violence during their work.
Donald Trump has not only perpetuated using violence against journalists, in his “prison rape” joke where he suggested using prison rape for journalists to get them to reveal their confidential sources. He has also been civilly convicted of sexually abusing TV show host and journalist E. Jean Caroll in the mid-1900s. She claimed he entered her dressing room in Bergdorf’s and raped her. He knew who she was, and the two were walking around the store shopping together before the crime occurred. At least 15 other credible women have accused Donald Trump of assault. How are we to know his “prison rape” joke is truly fiction since we know he is a violent offender?
As news stations prepare for Trump’s wrath, many have vowed to continue to work honestly and for the good of the people. The New York Times Editorial Board wrote, “Standing up to Mr. Trump is possible, and it is the duty of every American public servant when appropriate.”
Pay attention to the changes around you for the next four years. Many chose the neo-fascist former president to lower their grocery prices, but they will soon find out where his true priorities lie; he is loyal to big businesses, Big Oil, and, most importantly, his own exertion of power as absolute as he is able.
Trump said back in 2022, “If the reporter doesn’t want to tell you, it’s ‘bye-bye,’ the reporter goes to jail.” Believe him.
