Donald Trump and Sarah Palin have never had trouble making a splash in the headlines. They are sensational characters who know how to fascinate, provoke, and pick a fight. Over the past few weeks, Trump has nudged Palin out of the spotlight, but as he takes her publicity, he also borrows some of her tactics for dealing with the media.
Palin’s media strategy works as follows: take any criticism and brandish it as proof of liberal media bias. Remember, for instance, the Katie Couric interview, which brilliantly exposed Palin’s serious deficiencies as a vice presidential candidate. Palin immediately branded it as “Gotcha!” journalism and proof that the “lamestream” media was out to get her, all the while distracting the public from the initial criticism. Palin has used this strategy time and time again, sometimes effectively, sometimes not. Nevertheless, Trump clearly saw something in it he could use.
In his recent Birther Saga, Trump has upgraded Palin’s media strategy for his own purposes. Notice how Trump has spent a lot of time lately calling into CNN, a media outlet that prides itself on real, fact-based journalism. This setting is perfect for Trump’s Birther Saga. He easily baits the journalists into appearing like they are defending Obama, which in turn reinforces the right’s narrative of liberal media bias. From John King to Candy Crowley, CNN’s finest protest until they’re blue (ah ha!) in the face that certainly Obama was born in the United States and it is simply irrational to suggest otherwise. These journalists, of course, are actually defending truth when they wave the facts in Trump’s face, but it doesn’t matter. Trump is all about showmanship, and it’s the “looks like” that is more important than the “is.” He comes out of these interviews looking like a champion against the “lefty reporters who are in the tank for Obama,” and that’s all that matters.
Trump claims he would rather focus on the issues like Libya, China, and the economy, but focusing on issues does not allow him to get into a tussle with the interviewer. He knows that going on CNN to talk about China and the national debt would force him into a civil, thoughtful question and answer segment. That’s too much substance and not enough style. Trump sells himself as provocative and combative because he knows that’s what appeals to his followers.
Also noteworthy is how Trump differs from the other birthers, usually relatively unknown local politicians or political supporters, who stammer and stumble through their nonsensical arguments, clearly not ready for prime time. Trump is in his element on TV. Trump may talk nonsense, but he looks good doing it. He tramples over these reporters in a manner far more effective than Palin’s snide facebook blogs and tweets.
The ramification of Trump’s media strategy is, of course, lending credibility to a false narrative that Obama was not born in the United States. He’s made Birtherism look swank and manly, so now more Republicans than ever are doing it. Trump wants to be seen as a crusader, but he’s crusading for ignorance, something we have too much of already.