MSNBC Anchor Katy Tur Calls Out the Press’ Coverage Of Donald Trump, ‘It’s Legitimizing a Candidate That Doesn’t Feel Legitimate’

As a seasoned moviegoer who has witnessed countless dramas unfold both on and off screen, I find myself deeply moved by the story of Yamiche Alcindor and her fellow journalists. Their unwavering commitment to truth and transparency in the face of adversity is nothing short of heroic.


In the perspective of Yamiche Alcindor, a journalist based in Washington for NBC News, truth and facts are essentially one and the same. However, this view isn’t universally held by all.

As a dedicated cinephile reporting for PBS in 2020, I found myself standing outside the White House, eagerly waiting for President Donald Trump. In an instant, I was engulfed by tear gas, used to disperse peaceful protesters, making way for Trump’s walk to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Swiftly, I retreated back to PBS to share my eyewitness account of the events, only to have my truth challenged when the Government branded my report as falsehood.

“[The Government] used gas on me, and I’m not pretending to be interviewing someone here. I was struggling to breathe, I was in tears, I was present,” Alcindor stated. “It wasn’t until a few days later that the Government admitted, ‘Oh, well, we did indeed use some sort of gas, though it wasn’t exactly tear gas.’ This illustrates the role of a journalist as someone who can say, ‘The government is telling you one thing, but I was there, and this is what truly transpired.'”

At the EbMaster & Rolling Stone Truth Seekers Summit, hosted by Paramount+, Alcindor was involved in a panel discussion titled “Politics in the Zeitgeist” alongside CNN anchor Abby Phillip, MSNBC anchor Katy Tur, PBS News Hour co-anchor Geoff Bennett and CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil. The conversation was led by Ramin Setoodeh, who is a co-editor-in-chief at EbMaster.

Bennett reinforced Alcindor’s thoughts on presenting factual information accurately in news reporting, stressing that clarity in the journalistic workflow is particularly crucial at this time.

Bennett stated, “People frequently presume bias in our journalistic work due to a lack of understanding about our processes. Enhancing transparency regarding our news gathering methods and reporting techniques will not only benefit our profession but also strengthen our democracy.”

Since his presidential campaign in 2016, Donald Trump has been the most significant topic in political journalism. According to Tur, despite being unpredictable, Trump is “self-aware” and typically relies on “instinct” when interacting with his supporters.

“He knows exactly how to act in public settings like in front of a camera or a crowd. This is why, following an attempt on his life, you saw him gesture with a raised fist, as Tur explained. I was among the initial reporters who followed him, so our encounters were frequent at rallies. He was familiar with only me among all the reporters. Therefore, he would often approach me and speak to me frequently. He is captivating and charismatic. However, once he feels his charm isn’t working anymore, he becomes quite agitated, which is when he lashes out.”

For a second time, Donald Trump has clinched the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential race; however, as Tur pointed out, his campaign platform appears less substantial this time compared to previous attempts, mainly recycling popular themes that resonate with his supporters.

In this election campaign compared to previous ones, he appears less like a visionary and more like a puppet to some. While he had clearer, more substantial ideas in 2016 and possibly even in 2020, it seems his performances now are repetitive and lack substance. Yesterday, for instance, he delivered an economic speech, but the focus was on personal attacks rather than addressing the economy itself. Many of those around him have urged him to stay focused on policy, as they believe that’s where his strength lies. They say this, not me. The consensus is that his old shtick has grown dull, and Megyn Kelly recently suggested he should concentrate on policy instead of relying on crowd sizes, attacking others for their race or perceived intelligence.

Tur went on, “My issue is that our interview with him doesn’t yield much. We’re not delving into all his outlandish statements. The headlines aren’t something like ‘Donald Trump Equates Himself to Abraham Lincoln,’ ‘Donald Trump Shows Uncertainty over Mifepristone,’ or ‘Donald Trump Rambles About Gettysburg, Discussing My Boys and Robert E. Lee.’ Instead, the headline is ‘Donald Trump Delivers a Long, Winding Speech, Agrees to Debate Kamala Harris.’ This glosses over the eccentricities in his speech.”

As a movie buff comparing the media coverage of two different presidents, I found an interesting contrast: “If any other candidate had said something similar to what President Biden did, it would’ve been headline news. Yet, here we are with Joe Biden being questioned about his mental health and ability to stay composed, while Donald Trump gets a free pass.”

As a film enthusiast, let me add another perspective to the conversation. At the heart of it all, reporting on this candidate’s policies feels like giving legitimacy to someone who doesn’t seem legitimate. This individual sought to maintain his position not because he was called upon to do so, but because he desired it, disregarding the election results that didn’t favor him. He spread the word far and wide, persuading many with claims of electoral fraud and cheating. In 2016, he attempted this tactic when he thought he might lose, and in 2020, his efforts were successful, leading to a riot at the Capitol and an insurrection. Now, he’s attempting it again. This man is essentially running against democracy itself. To engage him in discussions about policy feels uncomfortable on a fundamental level, as it’s challenging to equate him with figures like Kamala Harris. I acknowledge that voters chose him, and we must respect their decision. However, his past actions cannot be ignored – he tried to retain power through illegal means.

Watch the entire conversation above

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2024-08-16 00:17