Trump’s Second Term Faces Media Shake-Up: Who’s Reporting, Who’s Retweeting, and Who’s Just Confused

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As Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House for round two, the news media—once a behemoth of influence—is looking a bit like a boxer at the end of the 12th round: bruised, battered, but somehow still standing. 

Legacy outlets face shrinking audiences, leadership turnovers, and the occasional existential crisis. Meanwhile, Trump’s message machine is happily thriving in its favorite corners of the internet, where algorithms and audiences align perfectly for some good old-fashioned headline dunking.

Old Media on Wobbly Knees

Gone are the days when The New York Times, Washington Post, and the big TV networks could hold court over national discourse. Today, those outlets are less like the gatekeepers of information and more like that one person at a party trying to join a conversation that's already moved on.

Recent leadership changes at major outlets reflect this identity crisis. CNN, for instance, has struggled to recapture its mojo, recording historic audience lows as it stumbles toward a more digital future. In contrast, MSNBC's leadership turnover signals an ongoing effort to figure out what its audience even wants—other than Rachel Maddow explaining world events while making you question all of your life choices.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post has seen a mass exodus of journalists and subscribers. Why? A last-minute decision to back off endorsing a presidential candidate left many readers feeling abandoned—like being ghosted on the eve of prom!

The Rise of the Rogans and the Zuckerbergs

If you want to get your message out in Trump’s America, legacy media might not even make the shortlist. Case in point: When Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg wanted to discuss policy changes, he skipped the old guard and went straight to Fox & Friends and Joe Rogan. 

Because who needs a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative team when you’ve got a podcast host who’s equally comfortable discussing MMA fights and extraterrestrial conspiracies?

This shift highlights a larger trend: the rise of new platforms that cater to niche audiences. Gone are the days of trying to appeal to everyone. Today, it’s about finding your lane, whether it’s Ben Shapiro’s rapid-fire commentary or Bari Weiss’s The Free Press, which is basically The New Yorker for people who think The New Yorker has too many “feelings”.

Trump and His Media Frenemies

Trump may grumble about Fox News occasionally, but let’s be real: it’s still his go-to. The network remains the megaphone for his message, even if Newsmax and podcasts like Rogan’s occasionally muscle in on the action. Legacy outlets? 

They’re more likely to be mentioned as the punchline in a Trump rally than as sources of trusted information.

Even President Biden, when giving his exit interview, bypassed the traditional heavyweights like David Muir or Lester Holt and went straight to MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. It’s the media equivalent of ignoring filet mignon for a really solid burger.


Consumers: DIY News Editors

With traditional media outlets losing their grip, the burden has shifted to individuals to curate their own news feeds. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure landscape: want a 90-second explainer? Try Axios. Prefer 30 minutes of pundit yelling? Turn on cable news. 

Looking for someone to casually weave conspiracy theories into discussions of fitness routines? Hello, Joe Rogan.

But with this “embarrassment of riches” comes responsibility. It’s like a buffet—there’s plenty of good stuff, but also a lot of weird gelatin salads you should avoid!

The Atlantic Bets Big

Not everyone’s flailing, though. The Atlantic is staffing up, determined to hold Trump’s second term accountable. They’re not aiming to be the resistance; they’re aiming to be reporters. “If Trump does something smart, we’ll report it,” they say, presumably while preparing for a series of think pieces about Golf Diplomacy.

The Future of News

As Trump’s second term begins, one thing is clear: the media landscape is fractured, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating. Legacy outlets may still have a seat at the table, but they’re no longer carving the turkey. Instead, they’re sharing the feast with podcasts, newsletters, and social media platforms that tailor information to every niche imaginable.

So, buckle up, America. Whether you’re scrolling through headlines, listening to a podcaster debate aliens, or reading a 3,000-word Atlantic feature on a policy memo, the news is out there. You just have to decide where to find it—and whether it’s worth your time. Or….you can just come here!

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