Can Legacy Media Ever Remove the Stain? A Saturday Prompt
Posted by Sia on July 25, 2026, 9:38 pm ADMIN
Can Legacy Media Ever Remove the Stain? A Saturday Prompt
by Steven Beschloss - Jul 25
The headline of The Washington Post’s story about the event encapsulates the continuing failure of too many in the legacy media to grasp their duty in this dangerous moment in our nation’s history: “Trump’s insult-laden speech to press dinner draws mostly stunned silence.” Really? Trump’s attacks stunned people in the room? Have they not been paying attention for the last decade as this hateful authoritarian has worked tirelessly to undermine our most sacred right of free speech and a free press? Did they really think this night—billed as a celebration of free speech and a chance to reward journalists—would honor the profession?
As the Society of Professional Journalists put it in its letter criticizing the event, “We believe it is hypocritical to celebrate the First Amendment in front of the man who relentlessly attacks it.” The group’s letter offered a long list of recent attacks by Trump and his operatives, including his myriad personal insults of female reporters, threats to pull broadcasting licenses from shows that question his regime, as well as restricting reporter access.
It honestly pains me to describe how high-profile members of the legacy media disgraced themselves by welcoming Trump into the room again. (The original dinner in April was cut short when a gunman opened fire outside the ballroom.) This is what cavorting with the enemy looks like. This communicates to many Americans that the media is in on the game—that it hasn’t merely failed to name and condemn Trump’s fascism but aids and abets it in order to maintain access to power. The Washington Post continues to run the tagline, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” but its owner Jeff Bezos has proved the limits of this message by demonstrating obedience and support for democracy’s enemy. This fabled journalism institution is not alone in its failure to meet the moment.
Given this, independent journalists take on added responsibility. This publication is just one small part of the cadre of professionals who have recognized they can no longer participate within traditional media institutions—many of which have sacrificed their honor by either succumbing to the regime’s pressures or willfully embracing Trump’s anti-democratic pursuit of total power. And to be clear: My work here is only possible with the support of individuals who recognize the danger—the gravity of this chapter in our history—and are motivated to fight back.
------
Sia: I don't think they will ever remove their stain. They've gone too far. It will take new media to regain a real, honest, free press, especially since the legacy press is being bought up and turned MAGA.
I had the impression that he and his people were behind the 'rescheduling.' That he HAD to come back just to make himself more unpleasant.
Of course he should never have been allowed in the door in the first place..
SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR! RESIST!
Yes, they did. It is customary to invite the sitting POTUS, but not required
Posted by Sia on July 26, 2026, 11:36 am, in reply to "Did they invite him?" ADMIN
It is actually about the journalist profession and awards, NOT the POTUS, however the POTUS is typically "roasted" by a comedian hired as entertainment and allowed to give their own condensed speech.
Well, no comedian was hired as entertainment. A glorified magician was. So trump wasn't roasted, but he was still allowed to give an hour long, hatefilled speech which should have surprised no one, never mind shocked them into "stunned silence".
It is called the White House Correspondence Dinner
It highlights those journalists who cover the white house, in particular, and any journalist who covers politics in general. Various national politicians working in congress, the POTUS, and several celebrities are typically invited, with one invited comedian specifically to host and to roast the POTUS and potentially other politicians in attendance. Awards to winning journalists are given out as well.
Since trump never attended them before, he wasn't originally expected to attend. However, after he accepted, they replaced the usual comedian with a magician act so as not to "offend the notoriously thin-skinned monster in the white house".
So weird that they actually thought trump wouldn't go on the offensive!
the news media was about reporting facts. Now it seems to be more about reporting opinions, and covering mostly the opinions of those in power. I do see some fact checking in the media, but not nearly enough.
And what goes on behind the scenes, the blatant theft and corruption, goes largely unreported... for fear of being sued or fired by those 'in power.' It's a shame. Our democracy depends on freedom of the press, and truth coming to light.
But in the meantime... how 'bout those Chiefs!?
Did the Chiefs do something?
Posted by greenman on July 26, 2026, 11:16 am, in reply to "Once Upon a Time..." Valued Poster
I heard they were building some gaudy new mega-stadium. Sadly, the Browns are doing the same...
Yeah, they are building a stadium for them in Kansas now, so some are upset about them moving over the line and out of Missouri. That the Jackson County voters voted down a sales tax increase to fund a new stadium on the Missouri side of KC is probably one reason they are trying to pass amendments in Missouri that would take away voters' rights to decide such things. They want to eliminate state income tax and make up the loss of revenue by increasing sales and service taxes that the voters would no longer have a choice in.
In Kansas, they are trying to pass amendments that would politicize the courts with paid for politicians instead of impartial judges. It's very confusing for voters because they are being lied to of course about it being about "voter's rights." At the same time, they are trying to make it harder for voters to vote on constitutional amendments (i.e. abortion rights, which Kansans voted to protect), so that it would basically let the politicians amend the constitution however they choose.
In Missouri, voters also voted to amend the constitution to protect abortion rights, so now they are trying to make it much harder to amend the constitution now... unless it's done by politicians!
That figures!
Posted by greenman on July 27, 2026, 11:48 am, in reply to "Oh, and...." Valued Poster
I'm sure Ohio Repubs would like to restrict ballot issues..
SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR! RESIST!
Chiefs? Your favorite team in a sport?
Posted by Sia on July 26, 2026, 10:01 am, in reply to "Once Upon a Time..." ADMIN
Heh heh. I don't know which sport, but do recognize Kansas City Chiefs as a team. (Only because my son in law's Mum talks about them alla time.
on July 25, 2026, 9:38 pm
