As President Donald Trump begins his second term, the mainstream media is already sounding the alarm, complaining about “Trump fatigue” just days into his administration. The media, which has made no secret of its opposition to Trump over the last eight years, appears to be overwhelmed by his swift and decisive actions in his return to office.
From the moment Trump was sworn in on January 22, he wasted no time fulfilling the promises he made during his campaign. Within hours, he signed a flurry of executive orders, enacted deportations, and rolled out policies that have left the Left fuming. These actions have given the media plenty to report on — and, in their eyes, criticize. ICE operations targeting illegal immigrants have already begun, sending shockwaves through sanctuary cities across the nation. Trump’s executive orders dismantling the radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, along with his bold move to pardon over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol protests, have left liberals scrambling to spin the narrative.
Susan Glasser, staff writer for *The New Yorker*, encapsulated the media’s exhaustion with Trump’s return. “It’s been three full days since Donald Trump returned to the Presidency,” she lamented, listing his actions with visible disdain. According to Glasser, Trump has already managed to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, sever ties with the World Health Organization, and reverse a move that was meant to lower prescription drug prices for seniors. She added that Trump also “threatened a trade war with Canada and Mexico,” and even “declared an emergency at the southern border,” sending thousands of U.S. military personnel to reinforce the country’s defenses. For the Left, these actions are seen as nothing short of a nightmare.
Perhaps the most controversial of Trump’s early actions has been his crackdown on DEI programs. Trump has demanded the end of federal government programs that promote divisive diversity and equity measures, declaring war on the leftist agenda that has permeated schools, businesses, and government agencies. In the eyes of the Left, this is a direct attack on “progress,” but for many conservatives, it’s a welcome step toward restoring meritocracy and common sense in government and institutions.
On top of that, Trump pardoned a large group of January 6 defendants — a move that has infuriated the Left and sparked renewed outrage among Trump’s critics. Glasser, attempting to paint a picture of Trump as a rogue leader, wrote that the president was “sword-dancing onstage to the Village People” at his inaugural ball and was “cashing in on the Presidency by marketing the $TRUMP cryptocoin.” For many, these personal jabs are more about discrediting Trump than discussing the substance of his policies.
Meanwhile, CNN’s Brian Stelter lamented that the media must figure out how to report on Trump’s second term. He warned that Trump’s remarks should not be taken at face value and that reporters must continue to debunk his “deceitful claims.” But as conservative voices rise in prominence, more Americans are asking: Why should the media have so much control over what’s considered “news”? Trump’s impact on everyday Americans — particularly those who have been left behind by the establishment — is the real story, but for the mainstream media, it seems like it’s just another opportunity to attack Trump.
The media’s obsession with Trump continues to overshadow the progress and policies that have been well-received by a significant portion of the American public. If the last few days are any indication, Trump’s second term will be just as turbulent for the press as his first — but he’s clearly determined to stay focused on fulfilling his promises, no matter how much the media complains. The question is, can they keep up?
