Often referred to as a voice of truth and reason, Dan Rather’s social media following continues to surge. On Thursday, the legendary news anchor appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to discuss several topics including why Rather chose to put his commentary on Facebook. In January, Rather humbly referred to the engaging platform as being one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. Millions flock to his page daily to read his eloquently written yet gutsy short essays on the news of the day. His words can be described as truthful, profound, passionate, calming and empowering. As the interview continues, Fallon asks Rather’s thoughts on Donald Trump’s war with the press. Rather replies:
“I never seen anything like this — and neither has anyone else.
The esteemed journalist has covered six decades of American presidents and says that even former President Richard Nixon who was forced to resign under the Watergate Scandal, was not as bad as Trump.
“No president has ever so often, so openly and so personally assaulted and attacked, not just the press as an institution, but individual press members, as well… We’ve never had anything even approaching this at any time that I can remember. You look through history — it just hasn’t happened.”
When asked what advice he could give to journalists, Rather says,
Well, first of all stay steady, stay respectful, but also be relentless and remain aggressive. That’s the proper role of the press. Our role is part of a system of checks and balances to ask questions, keep on asking tough questions — do deep-digging investigative reporting. That’s what we’re supposed to do.
He says the public understands the vital role of the press even though Trump’s and his chief strategist Steve Bannon do not (yet they use it to tell us). The former Breibart Right-Wing propagandist Bannon was recently quoted saying: “The press needs to shut up.” Dan Rather says that our answer to that has to be:
‘With respect sir, we’re not going to shut up — now answer the damn question.’
The 9-minute interview flies by and well worth the view. Rather touches on Trump’s immigration ban and how it fuels our enemies. He talks about organizing now for future elections and also how we need to reach out to people that are different from us. Climate change is also discussed and how history will expose climate deniers. In parting, Fallon asks Rather to read one of his Facebook essays as if it was a nightly newscast. Here is that text to his eloquent and classic Dan Rather sign-off:
A recurring headline as we document Trump's first week in office: "President Trump Declares War on _________". Mexico. Immigrants. Women. Scientists. The GOP. Journalists....a dizzying attack on a cross section of people. His executive actions of the last 7 days emphasize division and destruction. Americans have a right to be scared. I too, have grave concerns. But I ask you to consider this: last Friday, so many Americans came out to Washington DC to witness the inauguration of our 45th president. And on Saturday, a sea of people participated in the women's march on Washington...instead of comparing the numbers between the two days (or any other days for that matter), if you combined them it would give you an idea of how many Americans are actually participating in our democracy, whether in support of Trump or in protest, and to have an active electorate is not nothing.
In the days and months ahead, Americans will have their struggles, some more so than others. But in fatigue or in fear, we need to collectively remember one thing -- there are certain truths that are not alternative, they are self evident.
Here is the Tonight Show YouTube clip.
Thank you to Dan Rather — and to those in the traditional/social media news who seek truth over ratings. During a time when falsehoods are rampantly being spewed by Trump and his administration, we need more, a lot more like Dan Rather.