If you’re the sort of masochist who’s keen to spend the two and a half weeks prior to the election gorging on Trump-related content, then a.) I’m so sorry and b.) you’re in luck. As of tonight, his campaign is producing a nightly news show on Facebook Live: an all access pass to one putrescent orange marshmallow and his lackeys!
In addition to interviews and the usual fare, the show will provide livestream coverage of Trump’s rallies with commentary both preceding and following the event. Of course they will carefully address the hate speech and other various and sundry bile spewed by both Trump and supporters alike.
A megalomaniac like Trump obviously assumes that more access to his constipated smirk will be received as a privilege. But others suspect that this endeavor is a trial for Trump’s post-election contingency plan. He is purportedly toying with the notion of launching “Trump TV” — i.e., a television network of his own, where he can entertain his delusions all the livelong day. Trump denies having any interest in such a project, but his son-in-law seems to be in talks with media dealmakers.
It’s also true that Trump would fancy a venue where he is certain to be portrayed in a rosy hue. For months he has fussed over the “rigged” media and its bias against him. He has even claimed that the media is handing the election to Clinton.
“We all know how strong the left wing media bias is,” Epshteyn tells Wired. “This is us delivering our message to the voters. It has nothing to do with Trump TV. It’s about using 21st century technology and communication in a way that’s effective.”
But as Wired suggests, employing Facebook as a media platform—something the site vehemently denies being—enables content to be spread without vetting or accountability. And it emphasizes Trump’s message to his voters that the media is their enemy as well as his.
“The media isn’t just against me, it’s against all of you,” Trump told rally attendees today in St. Augustine, Florida. Positioning himself as a savior to the beleaguered masses, he declared, “I will never let you be the forgotten people again.”
To be fair, Hillary Clinton has also bypassed the media via a network run by the Democratic National Committee called Studio 2016. The livestream was initiated for the Democratic National Convention. Moreover, Clinton has a podcast that enables her to speak directly to her supporters without the interference of media interlocutors. Political candidates will always seek forums to convey their agendas in direct and unmediated ways.
Tonight, the Trump Train featured campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and adviser Jason Miller. Should you care to gaze into the Hellmouth, tune in tomorrow at 6:30. Wear garlic.
