The basic problem with elite American journalism is that it can admit the possibility that a politician could be corrupt, unfit, criminal, or even authoritarian but it can never, ever actually arrive at the conclusion that a major politician IS any of those things.
And this just permanently distorts coverage, with the distortion getting worse the worse politicians actually behave. Because the more overt the problems, the more journalists have to promote an alternate reality to avoid making a forbidden assertion
Apr 10, 2025 05:29It's even worse than that. Case in point Anthony Weiner.
When Both Sides acknowledge a forbidden assertion, journalists are happy to join them. But they need permission from Both Sides and they can't call out One Side for asymmetrical misconduct.
