At a campaign rally in Georgia, Trump mocked President Biden’s stutter. Again. While Trump gives a new meaning to the term “bully pulpit,” the dim glow of the newsroom has taught this reporter that there are things the media can do when a candidate’s speech turns to vitriol: Hold up a mirror to every instance of Donald Trump’s bullying, to his “Truth Social” posts, his rally tirades, his late-night rants. They should all be divulged to the public for scrutiny. To combat the difficulty of covering Trump’s absurdities when they become too repetitive, here are a couple of thoughts: The media should examine the effects the taunts have on members of groups Trump has targeted. Think of the people who might be harassed because a bully who is also a presidential candidate says it’s ok. The media could also highlight data that shows how bullying negatively impacts society as a whole, much like hate speech. Most importantly, don’t allow any candidate to normalize bullying tactics. Call them out on it. Right away. Every time. Meantime, let us hope that the gentle forces of kindness and empathy — or at least civility — may prevail. ↓
@DanRather Trump is vile and we need to defeat him and his hateful rhetoric in November.
@DanRather Why aren’t newscasters calling him to the carpet like they do Biden? I can’t understand the way they coddle this man
@DanRather Trump has been a bully since birth!!! #TrumpisaNationalDisgrace
@DanRather @CalltoActivism Most importantly, don’t allow any candidate to normalize bullying tactics. Call them out on it. Right away. Every time.
@DanRather It doesn’t matter. Biden will embarrass Trump at any debate…that is if Trump has the balls to debate
@DanRather @CynthiaHarless1 It's how his base understands him.
@DanRather Remember when Dan saw the Zapruder film a decade before the rest of America and lied about its contents?