Let’s not pull any punches here. On a recent episode of CBS Mornings, chief political analyst John Dickerson and co-host Michelle Miller gave a rather biased verdict on Trump’s supporters and the ‘dangerous’ views they supposedly hold. Sharing an overly presumptuous analysis, the pair insinuated that Trump supporters display ‘cultish behavior’ and are an impassioned flock blindly supporting a man who could ‘undermine’ the country. This is the simplified and frankly misleading spin they’re pushing.
Digging into the episode, co-host Vladimir Duthiers began by insinuating that Republicans have adopted radical ideals and noted the contrast from the 1970s when GOP members took a stand against Nixon. Dickerson followed suit, critiquing Tom Cotton’s criticism of Judge Juan Merchan and Manhattan’s D.A. Alvin Bragg. According to him, this is a ‘dangerous’ move that could lead to another January 6 and further undermine our system of governance.
But the reckless assumptions didn’t stop there. Michelle Miller chimed in, suggesting that Trump’s many supporters refuse to accept any faults in him. She questioned where this ‘almost cultish behavior’ comes from. To corroborate her sentiment, Dickerson asserted that the supporters back Trump believing that he fights for them and, thus, any critiques of the former president are taken as personal attacks.
The concerning twist here is the implied danger that lies in supporting Trump. The discussion ended with Dickerson making a vague confession that the character of Donald Trump is key when considering him for the job of the president. The viewers are left with the insinuation that supporting Trump could jeopardize the nation’s well-being.
What’s being missed in these hot takes is a simple fact. Americans voted for Trump because they believed in his policies and promises, not blindly as they’d like to imply. Unfortunately, this particular CBS episode seemed to overlook the convictions that drove millions to back Trump. Instead, it delivered immediate judgment and labeled these voters as ‘cultish’ and ‘dangerous.’
A journalist’s job should be to offer balanced information. This CBS segment, however, starkly lacked such objectivity. It portrayed Republicans and Trump supporters as ignorant individuals who blindly follow a leader without acknowledging their political motivations or their genuine concerns. It’s this kind of reporting that further polarizes the nation.
Make no mistake; some conservative voices like Cotton might contain contentious points. But to mislabel millions of law-abiding citizens, simply because they voted for Trump, is overly dismissive at best and gravely irresponsible at worst. As we navigate these politically tumultuous times, we need a fair, balanced, and respectful dialogue from the media to accurately represent all sides.
