Trump has already defeated the news media. And it’s unclear what we can do about it.

The Washington Post's The Plum Line ^ | November 28, 2016 | Paul Waldman

[2ndDivisionVet]

Donald Trump is either a mad genius who has cracked the media code in a way no politician before him was able to do, or he’s a kind of political Mr. Magoo, stumbling randomly about yet achieving one success after another. We may never know which it is.

But if we’re going to maintain our democracy, we have to figure out how to deal with the way Trump successfully manipulates the media.

Perhaps, as some have suggested, Trump tweeted his ridiculous lie about millions of fraudulent votes on Sunday in order to distract people from this lengthy investigation in the New York Times of the overseas partnerships that present unprecedented conflict of interest problems for his foreign policy. But even if that wasn’t his intent, it’s what happened — and he accomplished some other things as well.

The first thing it does when Trump kicks off a frenzy like this one is thrill his supporters (and I’ll admit that I was among those who said that just playing to his base wouldn’t be enough to win him the election). Here’s how the cycle works. First, Trump says something outrageously false, but which his supporters either believe already or would like to believe. Then Trump gets criticized in the media for it, and his supporters say, “There they go again, the liberal anti-Trump media.” Instead of convincing everyone that the claim was false, the criticism only reinforces for Trump’s fans the idea that nothing the media says can be believed, which further undermines their ability to act as neutral arbiters in any debate....

[Hardastarboard]

I haven’t seen five statements from Trump that I didn’t think we’re entirely true. The ones I thought were wrong turned out to be right. Trump is nearly a genius.

[enumerated]

Wow. I guess there are the leftist liars and then there are the leftists that actually believe the leftist liars.

Trump tells the truth. The truth SOUNDS outrageous, because nobody dares to tell it anymore, so nobody is used to hearing it.

I admit it - even as a long time Trump supporter, I get shocked when he says something like “almost everyone in the press is a disgusting liar”. But it’s true. I get shocked at first when he says global warming is a hoax - even though I believe it is a hoax.

I’m just not used to hearing the truth - especially from a politician.

But I’m very proud of Trump for doing this, and I hope the press chokes on it and suffers a slow agonizing death.

[catbertz]

They play with “facts” like a magician. They will always accuse us, and Trump, of doing the very things that they do on a daily basis.

[Arthur McGowan]

Here’s a suggestion to the Compost:

When Trump tweets a truth—millions of illegals voted—don’t call it a “ridiculous lie.” You’ll be amazed how your reputation will improve.

[ssfromla]

They are projecting again while putting nails into their coffins.

[Bon mots]

[Interesting Times]

It isn’t complicated. The media can be defeated because they have no credibility. And they have no credibility because they lie.

[maine-iac7]

ability to act as neutral arbiters in any debate.

BWHahaha

That "ability" was lost decades ago

[grey_whiskers]

Truth Trumps Propaganda.

[VaeVictis]

Oh brother, same thing the media tried to paint Bush with. On one hand they said Bush was a bumbling idiot. On the other they said he orchestrated all sorts of conspiracies. What a joke journalists are.

[DouglasKC]

Here’s what happens Trump tweets the truth the journalist can’t stand the truth so they go on a screed against Trump. Trump sets the agenda

[SaraJohnson]

He should hold a “press conference” then give a message to the American people and take no questions from the Leftists.