There should be a sign hanging up in newsrooms across the country: “Freak out less about what Trump says, and focus more on what he does.” Today, the big story is his tirade over Iran and Israel’s latest battles after a planned ceasefire was announced. His remarks are the top story in just about all the big legacy media.
To be clear, a U.S. president saying this, especially Trump’s way, is news. But this kind of reporting should come with a caveat I described in a previous newsletter:
His remarks virtually never constitute any kind of actual thought out plan. He changes his mind constantly, and often forgets he even said something. Pace yourself with him, or you won’t last four years.
These reports should emphasize that Trump regularly says things impulsively, and most of his comments don’t lead to any actions. The media did not predict the recent U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities based on anything Trump had said. That should serve as a powerful reminder.
Iran: What the Media Isn't Telling You
As soon as the news broke of U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, I began hearing from listeners who said they’re not sure “how to feel” about it. I understand this. Ethical people want to see …
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The wild card
Meanwhile, before a new episode comes out tomorrow, it’s worth taking a moment to point out a part of this story getting far too little coverage. It’s what I described in the most recent episode as the wild card.
Iran has a long history of
