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Hot Take: The Media is Dividing the Country, Not Donald Trump
The recent backlash against ABC News has ignited a national debate about the role of legacy media in shaping public opinion and political discourse. Many Americans are increasingly disillusioned with what they perceive as biased and divisive coverage by mainstream outlets like ABC News, which is owned by Disney. The frustration is palpable across social media platforms, where millions of users express feelings of being misrepresented or outright ignored by the legacy media.
ABC News has come under fire for its perceived unfair debate tactics, which many see as favoring one side of the political spectrum while demonizing the other. The discontent isn’t confined to a small segment of the population—it represents a broad swath of Americans who feel their views are not only underrepresented but actively maligned.
The Debate Tactics: A Catalyst for Division
The most controversial aspect of ABC News’s coverage, according to critics, lies in the way debates are moderated and framed. Instead of fostering balanced discussions, ABC News has been accused of employing tactics that polarize rather than inform. Critics argue that the network often positions questions in a way that undermines certain political viewpoints while elevating others. This perceived lack of impartiality isn’t just a journalistic misstep; it’s seen as a deliberate attempt to sway public opinion and marginalize millions of Americans.
One of the most divisive tactics alleged is the framing of debate questions that appear designed to put conservative viewpoints on the defensive while allowing liberal viewpoints to be presented more favorably. For instance, questions that imply guilt or wrongdoing before a candidate even has a chance to answer, or those that focus on fringe issues to paint a broader ideology as extreme, have been singled out as particularly egregious examples of bias. This approach doesn’t just skew perception—it reinforces existing divisions by vilifying one half of the country.
Megyn Kelly’s Explosive Rant
Adding fuel to the fire, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly recently went on an intense rant calling out ABC News moderators for what she described as collusion with Vice President Kamala Harris to undermine Donald Trump and "steal the election." In her scathing monologue, Kelly stated, "I'm ashamed of those moderators at ABC News. They did exactly what their bosses wanted them to do. The person who runs ABC News is a close personal friend of Kamala Harris that is responsible for Kamala Harris and her husband meeting." The full segment has garnered widespread attention, with many praising Kelly for her boldness in calling out what they see as blatant media manipulation [Watch the video](https://x.com/ChinaAmerican/status/1833735158790500554).
This monologue is being hailed by some as one of the boldest Kelly has ever delivered, capturing the frustration of many who feel disenfranchised by mainstream media's handling of political coverage [See reactions here](https://x.com/BehizyTweets/status/1833729138567295198). Kelly's critique adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding accountability and transparency from news organizations that wield significant influence over public perception.
The Social Media Backlash: A Cry for Representation
Social media has become a megaphone for those who feel voiceless in the current media landscape. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit have been flooded with posts criticizing ABC News and other mainstream outlets for their role in deepening political divides. Many users argue that these networks have abandoned their journalistic responsibility to inform the public impartially, instead opting to push narratives that align with their corporate interests or political leanings.
For example, social media user China Clark (@ChinaAmerican) expressed her frustration, stating, "At this point, we need to boycott ABC News forever. If they come on again, we need to turn them off. If they are on YouTube, we need to turn them off. ABC News cannot be trusted by the American people to give impartial journalism. They are a propaganda arm of the lying Democrats" [View tweet](https://x.com/ChinaAmerican/status/1833735158790500554). This sentiment echoes a widespread distrust of mainstream media, which many believe has strayed from its mission to serve as a fair and balanced source of news.
Disney’s Role: Profit Over Principle?
The connection between ABC News and its parent company, Disney, has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that Disney’s vast entertainment empire and its corporate interests influence ABC’s editorial decisions. The accusation is that the company prioritizes profit over principle, using its media arm not to inform but to shape narratives that align with its broader business objectives.
This corporate influence is seen as a betrayal of the public trust that news organizations are supposed to uphold. By controlling one of the nation’s largest news outlets, Disney is perceived as wielding undue influence over the information that reaches millions of Americans. The concern is that this influence isn’t wielded to enlighten, but to enforce a specific worldview—one that doesn’t necessarily reflect the diverse opinions of the American populace.
A Call for Accountability
The growing discontent with ABC News and similar outlets isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a wake-up call for the media industry. As trust in mainstream media continues to erode, there is a clear demand for more balanced and representative coverage. For many, this isn’t just about politics; it’s about the fundamental right to have their views fairly represented in the public square.
C-Span hosted a poll on X after the debate
The debate over media bias and representation is far from over, and it’s clear that the actions of networks like ABC News will continue to be scrutinized. For a significant portion of the country, the media, not Donald Trump or any other single figure, is seen as the primary force dividing America. The call for change is growing louder, and it’s up to the legacy media to decide whether they will respond or continue down a path that millions of Americans feel is pushing them further apart.
Ultimately, the demand is simple: fair representation, honest journalism, and a commitment to the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those in power. Until these demands are met, the divide will likely continue to widen, with the media itself at the center of the controversy.
FACT CHECK: Misleading Crime Data Used by ABC News Moderators in Debate
In last night's three-on-one debate, ABC News moderators used misleading crime data from the FBI to 'fact check' former President Donald Trump, asserting that violent crime in America is at a historic low. However, a closer look at the facts reveals that Trump's claims about rising crime rates are indeed accurate, despite the narrative pushed by ABC News and other mainstream media outlets.
Kamala Harris and her allies in the media, including so-called fact-checkers at Politifact and ABC News, would have you believe that violent crime is at a 50-year low. This narrative, however, is not supported by the full scope of data. The reality is far from what these sources claim, and the integrity of the crime statistics used to support this narrative is in serious question.
The Change in Crime Reporting
Shortly after the Biden-Harris administration took office, the FBI replaced the longstanding Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2021. While the new system was intended to provide more detailed crime data, it also made participation optional for state and local law enforcement agencies. As a result, around 6,000 law enforcement agencies, or approximately 25% of the country's jurisdictions, are not submitting their crime data to the FBI under the new system.
This significant gap in reporting has led to a substantial undercounting of crime statistics, which are then used by media outlets and fact-checkers to paint a falsely optimistic picture of public safety. The missing data skews the numbers, allowing narratives to emerge that suggest crime is down when, in fact, it is rising across many parts of the country.
The Real Picture of Crime in America
Contrary to the claims made during the debate, violent crime in many cities and states is not at a 50-year low. In fact, numerous reports from independent sources and local law enforcement agencies indicate that violent crime, including homicides, assaults, and carjackings, has surged in recent years. The FBI's own incomplete data, when properly adjusted to account for missing information, still shows concerning trends in violent crime rates.
The selective presentation of data by ABC News and other outlets during the debate is not just misleading—it obscures the real experiences of Americans who are dealing with the consequences of rising crime. By relying on incomplete and skewed statistics, the mainstream media and political leaders are failing to address the real issues that communities face, and instead, are perpetuating a narrative that aligns with their political agendas.
The Consequences of Misleading Data
The consequences of this underreporting and misrepresentation of crime data are far-reaching. When media outlets and political leaders dismiss or downplay the reality of rising crime, it undermines public trust in both the media and government institutions. It also hampers efforts to implement effective policies and support law enforcement agencies in addressing crime in communities where it is most needed.
While the Biden-Harris administration's changes to the FBI's reporting system were likely intended to modernize and improve crime data collection, the lack of mandatory participation has resulted in significant gaps that render the current data unreliable. This has given rise to a situation where the true extent of crime in America is obscured, allowing politicians and media figures to push narratives that do not reflect the on-the-ground reality.
A Call for Transparency and Accuracy
As debates about crime and public safety continue to dominate national discussions, it is crucial for media outlets and fact-checkers to present complete and accurate data. The American people deserve to know the truth about crime trends so they can make informed decisions about their safety and hold their leaders accountable. Misleading narratives, like those seen in last night's debate, only serve to deepen public distrust and exacerbate divisions.
The bottom line is this: when it comes to the state of crime in America, the real story is not what ABC News or Kamala Harris would have you believe. It’s time for the media to step up, demand comprehensive data, and provide the public with the full picture. Until then, the narrative that crime is down will remain a dangerous and misleading myth that does a disservice to all Americans.
