There’s an old joke about a religious man caught in rising floodwaters. Would-be rescuers come by several times but the man sends them away, preferring to leave his fate in God’s hands. When the man finally drowns and arrives in heaven, he asks God: “Why did you let me die?” And God says: “I sent you three boats and a helicopter. What more could I do?”
Now there is a new joke being written about a billionaire presidential candidate with character flaws so deep and obvious that one can almost feel Richard Nixon cringing in the hereafter. Time and time again, media outlets have pointed out these flaws in great detail. Still, those most repulsed at the idea of a Donald Trump presidency blame his rise on newspapers and cable news. “You gave him free advertising and a free pass,” they cry.
There are three Trump-related stories that have dominated the news over the past several days. One is Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns. Another is that he often posed as his own spokesman, using the names “John Miller” or “John Barron” in phone conversations with reporters. And the other is that he has a history of blatant sexism in his private dealings with women, as outlined in an investigative piece published Sunday in the New York Times.
There are different ways to look at the stories. Those critical of the media can make the argument that the coverage is nothing more than tabloid journalism. Why not highlight Trump’s intellectual shortcomings on a host of serious policy issues, foreign and domestic, rather than focus on personal taxes, sophomoric stunts and sexism? On the other hand, Trump’s financial secrecy and deplorable conduct as a private businessman should give voters insight into how he would behave as the most powerful individual in the free world. Childish PR games and clumsy sexual advances (enough for a series of psychological case studies) should appear as giant red flags to serious-minded Republicans and independents, as should his statement that his tax rate is “none of anybody’s business.”
This is some of what we know about Trump: He is not a conservative. He is not a champion of the American underclass. He is not a friend to the blue-collar worker. He legitimizes boorish behavior by whining about “political correctness.” He claims that his insensitivity toward minorities and the disabled isn’t a product of ignorance, which it so clearly is, but representative of his desire to be a straight-shooter. He has demonstrated minimal knowledge of how the U.S. government works (or doesn’t) and its global role.
His refusal to release his tax returns and his irrelevant claim that “you learn very little from a tax return” suggests a Trump White House wouldn’t exactly embrace transparency and accountability.
The story about Trump posing as his own PR person – and denying it despite plenty of evidence to the contrary – should tell voters that he is more than capable of the kind of dirty tricks and denials that brought down the Nixon administration.
As for the Times investigation, it further confirms that Trump’s opinions of women should not only disqualify him from the presidency but from any leadership role in this century. His best bet is to pour his considerable wealth into time-travel research so he might find an era more suitable to his male chauvinism.
The coverage of Trump’s ascent has been far from perfect. But to say the media have failed to reveal him for what he is is just plain wrong.
At press conference after press conference and in interview after interview, journalists allow Trump to show America his true character.
So if you find yourself drowning in a Trump presidency, don’t blame the media. They sent you plenty of boats.