Fancy Pants gathered the flock around the television Tuesday after learning that the White House had launched Trump TV, a 24-hour stream of presidential speeches, bill signings, announcements, and what the administration calls Trump’s “greatest hits.” The channel appeared just days after Trump barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, a decision the outlets are challenging in federal court.
Marvin stared at the screen.
“Do democracies usually have a Leader Channel?”
Fancy Pants admitted that governments have always produced their own communications. Presidents give speeches. Agencies make videos. The White House posts accomplishments.
“Twenty-four consecutive hours of the president praising the president feels slightly more ambitious,” he said.
Janet opened a folder labeled HISTORICAL PRECEDENT, PROBABLY UNHELPFUL.
North Korea was immediately disqualified from direct comparison because its government controls all domestic media, independent journalism does not exist, and citizens can face severe punishment for consuming unauthorized information.
“So America is clearly different,” Janet said.
Everyone relaxed.
She turned the page.
Nazi Germany also built an enormous government propaganda apparatus, centralized control of radio and newspapers, glorified Hitler, and eventually eliminated independent press freedom altogether.
Everyone stopped relaxing.
Bruce leaned forward.
“Did they have a streaming tier?”
“No,” Janet said.
“Primitive.”
Marvin began constructing an Authoritarian Media Starter Kit on the whiteboard:
Describe critical journalism as dishonest.
Restrict access for troublesome reporters.
Produce government-approved coverage.
Explain that citizens can now hear directly from the leader.
Insist comparisons to authoritarian governments are hysterical.
Fancy Pants erased number five.
“That feels editorialized.”
Meanwhile, Trump TV continued showing Trump. A speech ended. Another Trump appeared. Then another.
Whitney admired the consistency.
“There are no upsetting contradictions when one person is the source, subject, host, and recurring guest.”
Bruce proposed a morning show called Trump & Friends & Also Trump.
Janet searched the schedule for investigative journalism. The schedule appeared unfamiliar with the term.
Eventually Simone asked the uncomfortable question.
“Are we still a democracy?”
The flock looked at Fancy Pants.
He considered the evidence. Independent newspapers still publish criticism. Courts still hear lawsuits against the administration. Elections remain competitive. Freedom House still classifies the United States as a free country, while democracy researchers have also documented substantial recent deterioration in institutional checks, civil liberties, and press freedom.
Fancy Pants returned to the television.
“I think democracy is still on the schedule,” he said.
Marvin squinted at the screen.
“What time?”
Nobody could find the listing.
I ingested so much of this through the night that I was getting scared. Had to stop. But, thank you to all the sheep for your input. Was your moderator (um, herder) not able to video this. I guess he walked out too in solidarity with all the other reporters 👏👏👏👏
🤯