The ability to hear, see or even seek the truth is fading from our society. This is a tragic trend that has become a threat to the United States of America. We have always had opposing views and politicians on different sides of issues – but never before has the line between truth and false truth based on desired beliefs seemed as prevalent as it is today.
In the past two days – three listeners calling into my talk show on WWL have aggressively challenged comments I have made on the air. The problem is that I either DID NOT actually say what the listeners were attacking me on or their facts were completely wrong and what I said on the air was true.
In one case – we actually played back part of my show to prove the listener was wrong about a comment I made on the show.
In another case – a caller challenged me for referring to Donald Trump as a “media darling” early in the 2016 presidential campaign. When I reiterated that Trump was, indeed, a “media darling” early in the campaign – the caller insisted that I was wrong.
With the results of research and studies of media coverage in the early part of the 2016 campaign – it was easy to set the record straight that Donald Trump was a “media darling,” even with the liberal media early on. The summer of 2015 was referred to as the “Summer of Trump.” I personally reviewed the early appearances – many of them call-ins – into MSNBC and CNN confirming that Donald Trump received an extreme amount of free publicity while his polling numbers were low.
Analysis of media coverage of all of the candidates revealed that between January and November of 2015 – Donald Trump received close to $2 billion in free and favorable publicity – compared to $313 million for Sen. Ted Cruz, $204 million for Sen. Marco Rubio and $38 million for former Ohio Governor John Kasich.
During the same time period when Donald Trump received close to $2 billion in free publicity – Taylor Swift received $497 million worth of publicity and Kim Kardashian had $250 million. Donald Trump WAS a “media darling” early in the 2016 campaign.
Yesterday afternoon – a listener called in to challenge me on my comment that President Trump called for a boycott of Goodyear tires – after an employee posted a picture of what is ACCEPTBALE and UNACCEPTABLE for all employees. The caller assertively insisted that Trump did not call for a boycott of Goodyear.
The Goodyear employee at the plant in Topeka, Kansas shared what was supposedly official company policy stating that Black Lives Matter and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride were ACCEPTABLE in the workplace while listed under UNACCEPTABLE were Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, MAGA and politically affiliated slogans and material.
Goodyear reacted with a statement pointing out that the list was not official Goodyear policy.
In the statement Goodyear made it clear that the policy statement that President Trump and so many others reacted to was fake and that the company continues to maintain a zero tolerance toward any forms of harassment or discrimination. The statement read – in part – “we ask that associates refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues.”
The posting of fake corporate policy was designed to make President Trump and his supporters appear to be the victims. This is not the first time Trump supporters have created a false narrative to give the impression that Trump and his supporters are victims of blatant discrimination and it is a way of creating and “us-against-the-world” image. The policy upon which Trump called for a boycott of Goodyear and the controversy that ensured – was not true.
Generally speaking – conservatives have traditionally condemned those who are quick to play the victim card. In reality – Trump and many of his supporters continue to play the victim card.
As a talk show host who is on the air – unscripted – live for 3 hours 5 days a week – I make mistakes. When I do – I correct those mistakes immediately. But I do take great pride in being honest with my opinions and with discussing the truth. Sadly – the truth is often dismissed and replaced with a false truth that fits the mindset of an individual.
It remains up to us – the people – to respect what is true – not a false truth that supports our bias. I hope the day of reckoning comes soon and we return to a nation that can passionately disagree politically – but still celebrate the truth!