Podcast Summary: "Trump And The Threat To The Media" What A Day | Hosted by Jane Coaston | Released February 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the media. The focus centers on President Donald Trump's persistent attacks on journalists and news organizations that challenge his administration's narratives. Coaston provides an in-depth analysis of recent events, the implications for press freedom, and the broader impact on American democracy.

特朗普对新闻界的攻击

The episode begins with an overview of President Donald Trump's antagonistic relationship with the media. Trump has consistently targeted journalists and news outlets that report unfavorably on his administration. A recent incident highlighted this tension occurred when Trump unilaterally attempted to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The Associated Press (AP) resisted this change, citing historical and international recognition of the original name.

At a press conference held at Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated:

[01:28] Donald Trump: "The Associated Press just refuses to go with what the law is and what is taking place. It's called the Gulf of America now. It's not called the Gulf of Mexico any longer. I have the right to do it, just like we have the right to do Mount McKinley, and nobody's even challenging that, okay?"

Coaston clarifies that the renaming was executed through an executive order, not a law, and contrasts it with the renaming of Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), which faced legal challenges due to its location within the United States. Despite support from allies like Senator Lisa Murkowski, Trump's attempts to dictate media terminology extend beyond geographical names.

采访嘉宾：凯瑟琳·雅各布森

To shed light on these developments, Jane Coaston interviews Katherine Jacobson, Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), focusing on the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Jacobson provides a comprehensive perspective on the Trump administration's intensified hostility toward the media.

Comparison to First Trump Term

[03:14] Katherine Jacobson: "It feels like it's kind of ramped up from what we saw in his first term... The number of lawsuits that Trump has filed against members of the media, the threats he's made, the scale of it all is just so much bigger than before."

Jacobson notes a significant increase in proactive concerns among journalists, with more individuals reaching out to CPJ for safety resources due to the administration's aggressive stance.

Safety Measures for Journalists Jacobson explains the safety training provided by CPJ, which includes:

• Digital Hygiene: Protecting against online harassment.
• Physical Safety: Preparing for potential physical threats during reporting.

具体案例分析

针对美联社的攻击 Coaston details the administration's retaliatory actions against the AP for refusing to comply with the renaming directive. AP reporters have been barred from attending multiple White House events, signaling a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Jacobson emphasizes the severity of these actions:

[04:28] Katherine Jacobson: "The Associated Press is widely regarded as one of the most reliable news organizations... To have their reporters barred from Oval Office events and Air Force One just simply because they won't change the name of the Gulf of Mexico... is preposterous."

对CBS的诉讼 Trump has also initiated legal action against CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging that the interview was edited unfairly. This lawsuit is part of a broader pattern where Trump leverages the federal government to challenge and undermine media organizations.

Elon Musk的威胁 The episode highlights a recent development where Elon Musk tweeted against CBS journalists, calling them "the biggest liars in the world" deserving prison sentences for their reporting.

Jacobson critiques Musk's stance:

[06:05] Katherine Jacobson: "It's incredibly hypocritical of Musk as a self-proclaimed defender of free speech to go after a media organization in this way."

She underscores a fundamental misunderstanding of journalistic practices, noting that editing interviews is a standard procedure to present information concisely and effectively.

联邦通信委员会（FCC）的武器化

The discussion shifts to the FCC's apparent weaponization under the Trump administration, particularly under the leadership of Brendan Carr. Jacobson draws parallels to authoritarian regimes:

[08:14] Katherine Jacobson: "If we look at Hungary or Russia, using government bodies like the FCC or the IRS to investigate journalists' practices is an incredibly concerning misuse of these government agencies."

Specifically, investigations into organizations like NPR and PBS raise alarms about potential threats to broadcaster funding and impartial reporting.

长期影响与民主的未来

Jacobson expresses deep concerns about the long-term ramifications of these attacks on the media:

[09:51] Katherine Jacobson: "What concerns me long term is how many news organizations will have the budget to continue fighting this and how many journalists will want to continue fighting... There's also the mental toll of having to deal with an increasingly hostile government and increasing distrust in the media."

She warns of a "chilling effect" that could stifle investigative journalism, essential for holding government officials accountable and informing the public.

企业所有权的影响

Coaston raises the issue of corporate ownership and its role in the media's resistance to governmental pressure:

[10:40] Jane Coaston: "The journalists seem ready to fight and it's the corporate ownership... have the deep pockets, but they don't seem willing to use them because they're afraid of who knows what from this administration."

Jacobson responds by emphasizing the importance of media organizations recognizing their role in democracy:

[10:59] Katherine Jacobson: "It's a time for news organizations to really step up and think about the bigger picture of what the institutions that they work for are doing and their place in democracy."

结论

The episode concludes with a sobering assessment of the state of American journalism under the Trump administration. With increasing assaults on press freedom, both legally and through public disparagement, the foundation of a free and informed society is under threat. Jacobson remains cautiously optimistic, believing in journalists' resilience but acknowledging the significant challenges ahead.

[11:58] Jane Coaston: "We are talking about the state of American democracy and the ability of the fourth Estate to do their jobs and hold government officials to account without fearing a multitude of different attacks."

Key Takeaways

• Escalation of Hostility: The Trump administration's attacks on the media have intensified compared to his first term, employing lawsuits, public disparagement, and administrative barriers to suppress unfavorable reporting.

• Impact on Journalists: Increased threats and legal challenges have heightened concerns for journalist safety and the sustainability of media operations.

• Weaponization of Federal Agencies: The misuse of the FCC and other federal bodies to target and undermine media organizations mirrors tactics seen in authoritarian regimes.

• Threat to Democracy: The ongoing assault on press freedom poses a severe risk to the transparency and accountability essential for a functioning democracy.

• Corporate Influence: Media organizations owned by large corporations may hesitate to fully resist governmental pressure, potentially compromising journalistic integrity.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump on Renaming Gulf of Mexico:

  "[01:28] 'The Associated Press just refuses to go with what the law is and what is taking place. It's called the Gulf of America now... I have the right to do it, just like we have the right to do Mount McKinley...'"

• Katherine Jacobson on Increased Hostility:

  "[03:14] 'The number of lawsuits that Trump has filed against members of the media, the threats he's made, the scale of it all is just so much bigger than before.'"

• Katherine Jacobson on Elon Musk’s Actions:

  "[06:05] 'It's incredibly hypocritical of Musk as a self-proclaimed defender of free speech to go after a media organization in this way.'"

• Katherine Jacobson on Long-term Concerns:

  "[09:51] 'What concerns me long term is how many news organizations will have the budget to continue fighting this and how many journalists will want to continue fighting...'"

Conclusion

This episode of What A Day provides a critical examination of the Trump administration's relentless efforts to undermine the media. Through detailed analysis and expert insights from Katherine Jacobson, the discussion underscores the profound implications these actions hold for press freedom and the health of American democracy. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the importance of a free press in maintaining transparency and accountability within government institutions.