This is an acceleration, an attempted consolidation, not something new. Leading up to the election, corporate media relentlessly featured Trump's chief talking points, inflation, and Biden old, Biden gaga. I don't believe Trump would have won without this.
Quite the irony- in a poll in April 2024, IIRC, featured here on Msg Box, the most avid media consumers, bewspaper subscribers, favored Biden over Trump by 49 points.They (we) had been reading past the headlines.
And, when has corporate media not favored the party of the rich? The basically fair and neutral media of the Cronkite era was a historical anomaly.
There's a lot from the Murrow/Cronkite era that's not necessarily news (though they made news) that were historical anomalies. The Warren Court - a Supreme Court that would actively defend civil rights and personal rights- had never been seen before, and as soon as they could kill it, won't be seen again. But a generation of lefties grew up thinking the court was on their side, which is why there's so much dismay now as the court goes back to what it always was. Protection for the rich and the white.
Liberals' faith in the Court is indeed dying hard. Similarly, the NYT is still something of a liberal cultural touchstone, despite the fact that even CNN didn't push Trump talking points as relentlessly as the NYT.
Are you a Dem? If so, get involved with your local party, and be smart and aggressive.
There is zero point in waiting for some grand national Dem leader to step in and do the work. Further, randos like us have power particularly if we act locally. Don't give in to cynicism, and don't let anyone take your power.
Well, that’s grim. What do we all think life in the US will be like when we no longer have a democracy where we are free to disagree with the government? We are probably about a month away at this point…
I just subscribed to Crooked Media - finally. I had been thinking how worried I was that your voices will be next, and realized it was very thoughts-and-prayers of me - kind but ultimately not helpful. So I decided to do something instead. Thank you and the PSA team for all you do.
I was heartened this morning by the threads of people cancelling their subscriptions and trips to Disney.... Boycott is one way, hit them in the purse! But umm... Dan.. Not sure The Bulwark is a "progressive" news source? Definitely on the correct side of politics...
I love your sincerity Dan and lived commitment to stopping this nightmare. I suspect that when we knew the election results, we sensed that there would be real loss, sacrifice and courage needed to get to the other side of this fascism. I believe that more every day. We need to internalize that as citizens and act like the free people we are and either Dem leaders are one of us or they’re corporate, careerist cowards. I might have to listen to your talk with HCR for the 5th time to get through today 😂
We had better seize the moment--because that is about all we might be able to seize in this media battle. A society, losing its wits in ephemera, while the oligarchs who own the screens navigate without any moral compass but avarice. We are in deep trouble.
Yes. Perfect post, Dan. Very well explained and researched. Need to get out in front of this (on TikTok, YouTube, etc.) and explain that TikTok will be corporate media, and to offer alternatives like the ones you listed.
One thing that I'm guessing most TikTok users can unite on is their skepticism and hatred of "corporate" anything (despite the fact they use products of said corporations and their Trump-supporting lackey CEO's all the time...).
But it can't be reactive (bitching ex post facto). It has to be proactive. I'm forwarding your post far and wide, especially to my more "TikTok friendly" acquaintances. Thank you.
Loved your show with Alex! Messaging has to now segue to also say that “affordability” was THE #1 PROMISE made in the 2024 election and that MAGA has done NOTHING to address it — healthcare leads the list, but also includes housing, utilities, food, et al. WHAT HAS TRUMP DONE BUT MADE IT ALL WORSE, and the people are demanding action NOW! We must lay the groundwork for 2026 by tying the healthcare fight to broader “affordability.”
Please, nobody should talk to or about Kamala Harris anymore and certainly don’t quote her about Trump being a communist. It’s probably the stupidest thing she’s ever said and manifestly untrue.
This is an acceleration, an attempted consolidation, not something new. Leading up to the election, corporate media relentlessly featured Trump's chief talking points, inflation, and Biden old, Biden gaga. I don't believe Trump would have won without this.
Quite the irony- in a poll in April 2024, IIRC, featured here on Msg Box, the most avid media consumers, bewspaper subscribers, favored Biden over Trump by 49 points.They (we) had been reading past the headlines.
And, when has corporate media not favored the party of the rich? The basically fair and neutral media of the Cronkite era was a historical anomaly.
We're going to have to do something about this.
There's a lot from the Murrow/Cronkite era that's not necessarily news (though they made news) that were historical anomalies. The Warren Court - a Supreme Court that would actively defend civil rights and personal rights- had never been seen before, and as soon as they could kill it, won't be seen again. But a generation of lefties grew up thinking the court was on their side, which is why there's so much dismay now as the court goes back to what it always was. Protection for the rich and the white.
Liberals' faith in the Court is indeed dying hard. Similarly, the NYT is still something of a liberal cultural touchstone, despite the fact that even CNN didn't push Trump talking points as relentlessly as the NYT.
See how billionaire media barons are firing journalists to appease Trump (and some of the journalists they've fired) with this interactive map.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/09/17/billionaire-media-barons-fire-journalists-to-appease-trump/
You had me up until “if Democrats are smart and aggressive.” I’ll just assume you mean us normies and not the ones in charge.
Are you a Dem? If so, get involved with your local party, and be smart and aggressive.
There is zero point in waiting for some grand national Dem leader to step in and do the work. Further, randos like us have power particularly if we act locally. Don't give in to cynicism, and don't let anyone take your power.
If you’ve seen smart aggression from the national party, then we’re reading different books.
Good advice.
Well, that’s grim. What do we all think life in the US will be like when we no longer have a democracy where we are free to disagree with the government? We are probably about a month away at this point…
Considering all that’s gone down in the last 8 months, A year ago your “about a month away” might have seemed laughable. Not the case anymore!
I just subscribed to Crooked Media - finally. I had been thinking how worried I was that your voices will be next, and realized it was very thoughts-and-prayers of me - kind but ultimately not helpful. So I decided to do something instead. Thank you and the PSA team for all you do.
It’s also notable that once again Trump’s allies are benefitting financially from a government deal. It’s crony capitalism at its worst.
It just doesn't stop happening.
I was heartened this morning by the threads of people cancelling their subscriptions and trips to Disney.... Boycott is one way, hit them in the purse! But umm... Dan.. Not sure The Bulwark is a "progressive" news source? Definitely on the correct side of politics...
The Bulwark believes in supporting a constitutional, democratic republic, just like you do. The American Eagle cannot fly on just one wing.
I love your sincerity Dan and lived commitment to stopping this nightmare. I suspect that when we knew the election results, we sensed that there would be real loss, sacrifice and courage needed to get to the other side of this fascism. I believe that more every day. We need to internalize that as citizens and act like the free people we are and either Dem leaders are one of us or they’re corporate, careerist cowards. I might have to listen to your talk with HCR for the 5th time to get through today 😂
Brian Tyler Cohen deserves our support as well.
We had better seize the moment--because that is about all we might be able to seize in this media battle. A society, losing its wits in ephemera, while the oligarchs who own the screens navigate without any moral compass but avarice. We are in deep trouble.
Yes. Perfect post, Dan. Very well explained and researched. Need to get out in front of this (on TikTok, YouTube, etc.) and explain that TikTok will be corporate media, and to offer alternatives like the ones you listed.
One thing that I'm guessing most TikTok users can unite on is their skepticism and hatred of "corporate" anything (despite the fact they use products of said corporations and their Trump-supporting lackey CEO's all the time...).
But it can't be reactive (bitching ex post facto). It has to be proactive. I'm forwarding your post far and wide, especially to my more "TikTok friendly" acquaintances. Thank you.
Message Box Community, Hear me: Democrats should take “Make America Great Again” and make it their own. Thoughts?
Re: TikTok- the coverage I’ve seen about this deal has been reporting that Beijing will still retain significant control of the algorithm.
Not that that’s better than giving pro-Trump billionaires control.
Loved your show with Alex! Messaging has to now segue to also say that “affordability” was THE #1 PROMISE made in the 2024 election and that MAGA has done NOTHING to address it — healthcare leads the list, but also includes housing, utilities, food, et al. WHAT HAS TRUMP DONE BUT MADE IT ALL WORSE, and the people are demanding action NOW! We must lay the groundwork for 2026 by tying the healthcare fight to broader “affordability.”
https://x.com/pushdemsleft/status/1970835616213696944?s=46&t=3bH8D8i-ig_gphDWbc5ibA
Please, nobody should talk to or about Kamala Harris anymore and certainly don’t quote her about Trump being a communist. It’s probably the stupidest thing she’s ever said and manifestly untrue.
Tik tok apps say bad. Word.
Tik tok app banned Snapchat banned say bad words.