The Election of 2024:
In an election characterized by fervor of fear and controversy, Donald Trump secured a decisive victory in November 2024, becoming the 47th President of the United States. His win was not just a political event but a cultural phenomenon that highlighted deep divisions within American society. The aftermath was marked by significant push-back, including multiple assassination attempts, a stark contrast to the overwhelming support reflected in the vote count.
Parallels with “The Great Deceiver” by King Crimson:
King Crimson’s “The Great Deceiver” explores themes of deception, illusion and manipulation, themes that resonate with the contemporary political landscape, particularly in the context of Trump’s presidency. The song can be seen as an allegory for how public perception is manipulated by media narratives:
– Deceit in Public Perception: Just as the “Great Deceiver” in the song might represent various forms of deceit, Trump’s image has been a battleground of conflicting narratives. His portrayal in the media oscillates between a savior of traditional values to a demagogue, depending on the political lens.
– Manipulation of Truth: The song’s reference to “Cigarettes, ice cream, figurines of the Virgin Mary” can be seen as a metaphor for how mundane or profound elements are used to shape public opinion. Similarly, in Trump’s case, personal anecdotes, policy stances or even legal challenges are spun differently by different media outlets to fit their narratives.
– The Ego and Public Persona: The song’s possible critique of self-deception or ego can parallel Trump’s public persona, where his portrayal often amplifies his image as either a charismatic leader or a narcissistic figure, manipulated by media to suit political ends.
Discrepancies in Media Coverage:
– Left Media: Mainstream outlets like CNN and MSNBC often framed Trump negatively, focusing on controversies, legal battles and his past actions, suggesting an authoritarian bent. Coverage included high negative ratings (85% as per Media Research Center) and emphasized his polarizing effect on society. Logical fallacies like ad hominem attacks were common, where the focus was on Trump’s character rather than policy critique.
– Example: After the assassination attempts, some left-leaning media speculated about the implications of his rhetoric, possibly engaging in post hoc ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this) fallacy suggesting his words directly incited violence.
– Right Media: Conversely, outlets like Fox News and Breitbart portrayed Trump as the victim of a biased system, focusing on his achievements or the threats against him as proof of his effectiveness against a corrupt establishment. They often employed cherry-picking data to support narratives of voter fraud or media bias against Trump.
– Example: Post-election, there were narratives of widespread election fraud, which lacked substantial evidence, a clear case of false dilemma where only two options (fraud or no fraud) were presented, ignoring complexities like voter turnout shifts.
– C-SPAN: This network stands out for providing unedited coverage of events, showing raw footage from both Trump’s and Harris’s rallies, debates and speeches. It allows viewers to form opinions without the spin, contrasting sharply with interpretative journalism. It is in my opinion that C-SPAN should be more accessible to all people and citizens of the United States, perhaps by requiring localities with Public Access TV to provide a channel to carry C-SPAN(1) and C-SPAN(2).
– Example: C-SPAN’s coverage of Trump’s victory speech showed an unfiltered view of his crowd and reactions, contrasting with the interpretations provided by other network’s spin.
Public Perception, Logical Fallacies and Psyops:
– Groupthink and Doublethink: The election aftermath saw clear signs of groupthink where individuals within political bubbles reinforced each other’s views, leading to polarized interpretations of events. Doublethink, where contradictory beliefs are held simultaneously, was evident, manipulated through media narratives to maintain support or opposition.
– Public Gullibility: The public’s susceptibility to misinformation or one-sided portrayals can be seen as part of a broader psychological operation (psyops) where media shapes public opinion to serve political ends, including portraying polarization to the extremes. This involves:
- Confirmation Bias: People seek information that confirms their existing beliefs.
- Appeal to Emotion: Media often uses fear, hope or nostalgia to drive narratives.
– Media as a Psyops Asset: By crafting echo chambers, media not only informs but also molds public opinion, often for political leverage. The discrepancies in coverage serve to keep the public divided, making them more manageable and predictable in their reactions, which can be strategically used in political strategies.
The narrative around Trump’s 2024 election, his transition and the subsequent media portrayal can indeed be paralleled with the themes of manipulation and deceit in “The Great Deceiver.” This era highlights how media operates not just as a news conduit but as a complex system influencing public psyche (whether public relations or entertainment “news”), often through logical fallacies and psychological tactics, reflecting the very essence of the song’s warning about illusion and control.
