Even before the commencement of any voting in a potential 2024 presidential primary, the focus of many conservative political analysts has shifted to Jan. 20, 2025.
Recent reports have emerged discussing the ramifications of a potential second presidency for Donald Trump and his team’s preparations for Inauguration Day and beyond. Polls indicate his sustained dominance over Republican contenders and the likelihood of a closely contested general election.
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The New York Times reporting team, including Charlie Savage, Jonathan Swan, and Maggie Haberman, has extensively covered this topic since the summer, delving into the former president’s leadership style and the potential concentration of power in his hands. Last week, they explored the prospect of Trump reconsidering the U.S.’s role in NATO.
The Atlantic magazine released a special issue last week featuring essays by 24 writers analyzing the potential impacts of a Trump presidency on foreign policy, immigration, journalism, and climate change. Editor Jeffrey Goldberg urged readers to peruse each essay, acknowledging the significance of the subject matter.
The volume of coverage prompted the Trump campaign to send a memo calling on allies and former aides to temper their messaging, considering it an “unwelcomed distraction” unless communicated by the former president and his team.
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With the Republican and Democratic nomination processes currently lacking competitiveness, there is less enthusiasm for the typical horse race coverage. Instead, there is a notable shift towards what New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen terms “stakes journalism,” examining the potential consequences of the upcoming election.
As Trump discusses retribution and his popularity remains unscathed by challengers, the narrative about threats to democracy gains traction.
Rosen suggests that horse race coverage seems trivial in comparison. Additionally, reporters have uncovered the extent to which Trump allies are actively planning for a return to power, underscoring the need to take the former president’s statements seriously.
Goldberg, in an interview, mentioned that The Atlantic’s special issue aimed to consolidate the potential impacts of a “Trump 2.0” presidency, serving as a warning. While he lacked specific metrics about reader response, he expressed surprise at the issue’s galvanizing effect.
Both Margaret Sullivan and Jay Rosen, advocates for robust coverage, have applauded the recent reporting. However, Trump supporters, as reflected in outlets like the Federalist, accuse the corporate media of attempting to “gaslight Americans” and orchestrating a coordinated effort to depict a potential 2024 Trump victory as the start of a dictatorial regime.
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Tim Graham of the conservative watchdog group Media Research Center notes a heightened level of panic in the media, particularly as polls indicate Trump’s competitive standing against President Joe Biden. There is a frustration among conservatives who expected different outcomes from numerous indictments.
The question remains whether this new reporting will resonate with those who primarily rely on conservative media. Sullivan, the incoming executive director of a journalism ethics center at Columbia University, remains skeptical about the broader public’s awareness of the threat to democracy posed by a second Trump presidency.
Goldberg expressed hope that sharing The Atlantic’s special issue could contribute to a more informed public discourse.
In the face of varying opinions, media outlets strive to fulfill their role, advancing ideas they believe are true and beneficial, even if not everyone agrees. Goldberg emphasized the responsibility to try and make a positive impact, regardless of public reception.
