But the question of what Mr. Trump might yet do by political methods against the media matters a great deal less than what he is attempting to do by ideological and philosophical methods.
That's actually worded fairly cleverly:
Will Trump pursue "political methods against the media" -- will he outlaw the NYT? Arrest reporters? Impose special taxes on Liberal news outlets? No. No he will not. The writer of this stuff understands perfectly well that the First Amendment is in no danger from President Trump. So, they ask the rhetorical question "will he pursue political methods" and although they drop this dark and ominous hint, they do allow that it "matters less".
Then they switch to what must "matter more": President Trump is a politician who is pursuing -- *GASP* -- "ideological and philosophical methods".
They present this in a way which makes simple political persuasion seem like act of great evil. And the reporter warns us of this terrible danger in an effort at ... political persuasion.
“But the question of what Mr. Trump might yet do by political methods against the media matters....””
Love the Freudian slip on “media matters...” Trump should call out David Brock and his minions as the inventors of fake news. Has he trademarked the term for his 2020 reelection bid?