Day -37: Trump is a Clown, Pay Attention Accordingly

Donald Trump is a master manipulator of the media. It’s hard not to be impressed by his ability to control narratives.

But while the media is often focused on ratings above substance, it’s important to look to the real story.

A few weeks ago, to deflect headlines from Trump’s $25 million settlement related to fraud surrounding Trump University, the president-elect touted saving 1100 Carrier jobs that were moving to Mexico (of course, it turns out that the real number was closer to 700, and Trump later lashed out at the union head who pointed this out).

Yesterday, days after floating the name of controversial comrade of Russia/CEO of Exxon Mobil Rex Tillerson to possibly lead the Department of State, Trump announced the nomination via Twitter. Of course, this was around the same time that one of the biggest celebrities in the world dropped by Trump Tower to see the Trump.

What did some news networks breathlessly cover first? What was trending on social media? kanye west Kanye West KANYE WEST!

A CNN reporter, during a conference call with Trump’s team, passed on asking about conflicts of interest, Tillerson, and Trump’s lack of press conferences. Instead, they chose to ask about the substance of a Kanye-Donald chat.

This isn’t exactly a secret, either.

VICE News quickly spliced together a telling montage of media members openly laughing about Kanye’s visit having nothing to do with anything important, but they were going to cover it anyway.

Trump is the clown and Kanye yesterday’s bright shiny object.

Don’t be the child transfixed by simple parlor games. Be the adult in the back of the room seeing through simple illusions.

-37 days in, 1498 to go

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