The narrative spun by media outlets leading up to the 2024 elections was a baffling spectacle, one that was far-removed from the realities, concerns, and struggles of the everyday voter. In their high-rise offices and insulated from the struggles of the common man, these media moguls and stalwarts of the Democratic party paid scant attention to the elephant in the room, the declining economy. As election day edged closer, even the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ revealing October jobs report did nothing to shake up the stale narrative frequenting newsrooms and TV sets. The report defied expectations, brandishing a paltry 12,000 job creation versus the expected 108,000, alongside a disheartening drop of 28,000 jobs in the private sector, cushioned only by 40,000 new inessential government positions.
Statistics revealed the bleak state of household finances with a greater proportion of voters feeling financially worse off in 2024 than during the catastrophic Great Recession of 2008. This glaring red flag seemed to evade the notice of those supposed to voice concerns of the populace. An equally disturbing trend of foreign workers making up a staggering 88% of labor force growth over a span of five years also fell on deaf ears. In the same period, only 479,000 American workers found their way into the workforce compared to the 3.6 million immigrant workers.
The cost of living also soared dramatically under Biden’s regime, with electricity prices shooting up by 29% and meat, poultry, fish, and eggs becoming 21% pricier. These economic maladies were conveniently overlooked by the predominantly left-leaning media networks. CNN, caught in an existential crisis due to plummeting ratings, has found itself in soul-search mode, trying to reconfigure its programming strategy.
The media narrative painted a rosy picture of Biden’s economic track record. The narrative would have you believe that we were sailing on a ship of ‘robust growth,’ with Biden at its helm, guiding the nation into bountiful waters. With terms like ‘good metrics’ and ‘bad vibes,’ they brushed over the glaring financial woes suffocating the country. Instead, they shifted the spotlight to hot topics like abortion, trivially branded as ‘women’s healthcare,’ or Trump’s ‘controversy of the day.’
Compared to important economic issues, the media focused on petty issues like a comedian’s derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico and a twisted narrative of Trump’s offhand comment. Little did they realize that these topics were hardly the bread and butter issues that concern voters. They believed this was the narrative people deserved as they picked their future president.
Trump saw an increase in support from Puerto Rican voters and recorded unprecedented numbers from the Hispanic community. He amassed remarkable support from women voters as well. The fundamental rule of politics – ‘it’s the economy, stupid’ – didn’t resonate within the Democratic journalists’ echo chamber. The economic suffering of the people didn’t permeate the glamor and glitter of media circles.
Democratic strategists considered it a masterstroke to push Harris as the ‘change’ candidate despite her four-year stint as Biden’s right-hand woman and the tiebreaking vote on his infamous climate spending bill that spurred unprecedented inflation. This shallow move was perceived as an insult by voters who, at the same time, were bombarded by condescending lectures about the undeniable successes of the Biden economy.
While some signals of introspection are emanating from CNN’s leadership, it is still an open question whether the liberal media will ever learn from their consecutive failures. The allure of affirmation and alienation from voter struggles were defining characteristics of the media post-2016, with their self-styled identity as ‘fact-checkers’ and ‘defenders of democracy’.
Sadly, rather than exploring the reasons why voters were turning to Trump, the media fanfare following the 2016 elections led to the formation of the shallow ‘Resistance.’ This self-importance held by the media, pitting them as voracious defenders of an often misrepresented ‘democracy,’ blinded them to the harsh realities confronting the majority of America.
Their far-removed stance failed them once, and, if their attitude is any indication, it is poised to do so again, plunging them into another four years of strained relevance and disconnected narratives. Signs point towards the probability of the media remaining unable or, rather, unwilling to recognize the socio-economic situation faced by almost all Americans. Alas, they seem fated to repeat history, perpetuating their detached, lamentably out-of-touch reporting.
Although these media outposts continue to recite rehearsed mantra of success tales under Biden’s regime, the public, discomforted by the harsh realities of life, have begun to see through this facade of disinformation. The electorate, more than ever, feels the widening chasm between the prosperous image projected by the media and the economic uncertainty percolating on Main Street.
Left-liberal media served up narratives that are riddled with misinformation and cherry-picked data, thereby undermining their credibility. Their steadfast refusal to report on the economic downturn and increasing cost of living reflects a disconcerting willingness to obfuscate and color the truth to match their political biases.
The 2024 election cycle illuminated the media’s persistent inability to grasp and articulate the economic realities and struggles of the average American. Their stubborn insistence on painting a picture of economic prosperity under Biden’s administration, despite compelling contrary evidence, exposed a concerning disconnect from the American electorate.
The media’s marginalization of critical economic narratives and rigorous exclusion of any negative portrayal of Biden and Harris, despite the country’s economic decline, has led to a gaping void in credible, unbiased reporting. If these patterns continue uncorrected, it won’t be long before the divide between the media and its audience becomes an unbridgeable chasm laden with mistruths and political manipulation.