Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has ignited a pivotal moment for American media. His victory over Kamala Harris has sparked widespread debate among journalists and media observers, particularly around issues of credibility, influence, and engagement with audiences. These concerns may take years to fully unravel, but the election has already set off introspective conversations within the industry: What does this resurgent “red wave” signify about the current media landscape in the United States?
In the hours following Trump’s reelection, a faction of his supporters asserted that the victory signaled a decisive rejection of mainstream news outlets. On Wednesday morning, the lead story on The Federalist did not focus on Trump himself, but instead targeted what it called the “corporate media industrial complex,” which it declared “2024’s biggest loser.” Commentator Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire took to X (formerly Twitter) to echo this sentiment, claiming, “Legacy media is officially dead… Their ability to set the narrative has been destroyed. Trump declared war on the media in 2016. Tonight he vanquished them completely. They will never be relevant again.”
Walsh’s assertion of a media downfall may be overstated — Tuesday’s extensive election coverage reflected the continuing relevance of the press — yet his perspective is not uncommon among Trump’s supporters, many of whom are highly skeptical of the media. They not only distrust much of what they read but increasingly avoid engaging with mainstream sources at all. This division poses a critical question for the industry: Is there any way to bridge the gap and regain the trust of these viewers?
In a recent column for New York magazine, a quote from an unnamed TV executive underscored this issue and quickly circulated on social media. “If half the country has decided that Trump is qualified to be president, that means they’re not reading any of this media, and we’ve lost this audience completely,” the executive observed. “A Trump victory means mainstream media is dead in its current form. And the question is what does it look like after?”
The term “dead” may be an exaggeration, but the sentiment reflects legitimate concerns among journalists. A significant trust deficit persists between Trump’s base and traditional media outlets, and it is prompting some in the industry to consider whether a shift in approach is necessary. One Trump campaign aide suggested the press might benefit from a more humble stance. “Maybe we have a point,” the aide commented. “Maybe ‘misinformation’ is a lazy word that was never applied to press coverage of Biden’s health or the border. Maybe ‘offensive’ things aren’t offensive to most.”
Media analysts, such as Semafor’s Dave Weigel, have pointed out that the power of mainstream media has weakened with each election cycle. He noted on Wednesday morning that “On Harris-friendly cable news, ex-Republicans broadcast their horror at who Trump was and what he’d done; in the new social media and podcasts favored by Republicans, all of that was whining disconnected from what voters really cared about.” His observation resonates with a segment of Trump voters who feel that major outlets are out of touch with the issues they prioritize.
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings echoed this view during CNN’s early morning election coverage, describing Trump’s win as “something of an indictment of the political information complex.” Jennings remarked, “We have been sitting around for the last couple of weeks and the story that was portrayed was not true. We were told Puerto Rico was going to change the election. Liz Cheney, Nikki Haley voters, women lying to their husbands. Before that it was Tim Walz and the camo hats. Night after night after night we were told all these things and gimmicks were going to somehow push Harris over the line. And we were just ignoring the fundamentals. Inflation; people feeling like they are barely able to tread water at best; those were the fundamentals of the election.”
Jennings added that for journalists and political commentators, this election outcome underscores the importance of connecting with a portion of the American public that feels alienated from traditional media narratives. “I think for all of us who cover elections and talk about elections and do this on a day-to-day basis, we have to figure out how to understand talk to and listen to the half of the country that rose up tonight and said, ‘We have had enough,’” he stated.
Liberal commentator Ashley Allison responded, emphasizing a need for inclusivity in media coverage, noting, “I think we have to listen to everybody, actually. The people who voted for Kamala Harris are struggling too. They are feeling ignored too. A Republican’s pain is no greater or less than a Democrat’s pain.”
Looking ahead, Trump’s relationship with the press is likely to be strained, a continuation of his combative stance toward the media during his previous term. Historically, Trump has not been satisfied with the nature of news coverage, even from outlets like Fox News, which has generally shown him support. Recently, he reportedly expressed frustration to Fox patriarch Rupert Murdoch over the network’s decision to run Democratic advertisements.
Trump’s reelection could signal a new period of antagonism between his administration and both impartial and opposition-leaning media organizations. This potential clash raises important questions: Will Trump act on his frequent threats against the press? For instance, he has suggested multiple times that he might pursue revoking broadcast licenses for TV stations. Additionally, he could choose to restrict access to the White House for journalists who cover him unfavorably.
There are concerns as well that media outlets might practice self-censorship to avoid conflict with Trump, a strategy that could alienate readers and viewers who do not support him. Amid these uncertainties, some media companies are working to reassure their staff about the value of independent journalism. On Wednesday, Conde Nast chief Roger Lynch sent a memo to his employees emphasizing the organization’s commitment to independent reporting, writing, “Now, more than ever, we are steadfast in our mission to uphold the principles of independent journalism. A thriving, independent press, as protected by the First Amendment, is vital to democracy and the future we all share.”
As Trump’s second term approaches, both traditional and digital media outlets face numerous challenges in responding to the needs of a deeply divided audience. Newsrooms are tasked not only with providing factual reporting but also with reaching out to audiences that have increasingly turned to alternative media. The coming years will likely shape the future of American journalism, as reporters and editors seek to navigate these turbulent times and rebuild public trust.
