Trump Intensifies Campaign Against the Press with ABC News Settlement and Broader Media Crackdown
Trump amplifies his attacks on the press at the same time as his policies cause the U.S. Economy to contract by .3%
In a significant development highlighting President Donald Trump's ongoing confrontations with the media, ABC News agreed in December 2024 to pay $15 million to Trump's presidential library. This settlement resolved a defamation lawsuit concerning anchor George Stephanopoulos's on-air statement that Trump had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. In reality, the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, not rape. However, The Washington Post reports on July 19, 2023 that:
A Judge has now clarified that this is basically a legal distinction without a real-world difference. He says that what the jury found Trump did was in fact rape, as commonly understood.
The settlement, which included a note of regret from ABC News, has raised concerns among media analysts. Many fear it could embolden Trump to pursue further legal actions against news organizations, potentially creating a chilling effect on journalistic freedom.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of actions by Trump targeting media outlets. Just a few days ago he signed an executive order cutting federal funding to NPR and PBS, accusing them of biased reporting. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to eliminate existing and future funding to these organizations as much as legally possible.
Additionally, Trump's administration has taken steps to limit press access and control media narratives. For instance, Associated Press journalists were barred from White House press briefings after the administration objected to the AP's use of the term "Gulf of Mexico" instead of "Gulf of America," a name change proposed by Trump. Despite a court order to lift these restrictions, the administration continued to block AP reporters from certain events.
These actions reflect a concerted effort by Trump to challenge and suppress media outlets that he perceives as adversarial. Legal experts and press freedom advocates warn that such measures threaten the foundational principles of a free and independent press, which is the foundation of American democracy.
"Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30. Maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally" - Donald Trump
In a recent Cabinet meeting, President Donald Trump addressed concerns about the impact of his administration's 145% tariffs on Chinese imports. He acknowledged that these tariffs could lead to increased prices and reduced availability of consumer goods, stating, "Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30. Maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally". Trump emphasized his opinion that the U.S. has been taken advantage of in trade deals, particularly by China, and suggested that reducing imports of non-essential items like toys could be beneficial.
The president's comments was met with sharp criticism. Comedian Jon Stewart mocked the remarks on "The Daily Show," highlighting the disconnect between Trump's affluent lifestyle and his suggestion that children need fewer toys . Similarly, Stephen Colbert, ridiculed the idea on "The Late Show," echoing the sentiments of many Americans, that Trump is out of touch with the average American family.
Economically, the tariffs have had significant effects. The U.S. Commerce Department reported a 0.3% contraction in the economy during the first quarter of 2025, raising concerns about a potential recession. Despite these figures and them having occurred during his tenure as President, Trump attributed the downturn to the Biden administration and maintained that the tariffs would ultimately benefit the U.S. economy by encouraging domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign goods.
The "two dolls" comment has become emblematic of the broader debate over the administration's trade policies and their impact on American consumers, particularly the potential impact this will have on children and families during the upcoming holiday season.
