The relationship between President Donald Trump and the mainstream media has often been compared to that of an elephant and a swarm of mosquitoes.
The media, like the mosquitoes, buzz around, occasionally drawing blood, and then congratulate themselves, oblivious to their relative insignificance and their reliance on the elephant for their existence.
On Monday, the mainstream media, represented by The New York Times, received four Pulitzer Prize awards. Among these was a somewhat ironic award given to photographer Doug Mills for his remarkable images from the first assassination attempt on Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to Western Journal.
This is not to belittle Mills' personal achievement. As a photographer, he is not accountable for the pro-establishment editorial stance of his employer. In fact, his bravery in documenting the horrifying event is commendable. When the bullets started flying, Mills acted like a war correspondent, even capturing the exact moment a bullet flew past Trump's ear. He is deserving of the accolades he has received.
However, the praise heaped on The New York Times and the awards it has garnered are a different matter. The Pulitzer Prize, much like the Grammys or the Oscars, often seems like a self-congratulatory exercise by the establishment. The work that is often celebrated does not reflect the values of a majority of Americans, nor does it often resemble the truth.
The irony of an undeserving establishment media outlet being lauded for its coverage of a deserving individual is not lost. As renowned Christian author C.S. Lewis once wrote, there is a hidden humor in such irony. In his essay "What Are We to Make of Jesus Christ?" Lewis wrote, "The picture of a fly sitting deciding what it is going to make of an elephant has comic elements about it."
While Trump is not being compared to Jesus here, the phenomenon of the unworthy presuming to judge the worthy is evident. Trump, however, can be compared to some of his predecessors, particularly George Washington. After the 2024 election, veteran actor Sylvester Stallone drew a direct comparison between Trump and Washington, citing Trump's courage under literal fire as having a Washingtonian quality.
The term "courage" is often used loosely, applied to people and situations that do not warrant it. We often forget that the essence of courage lies in self-sacrifice. Only a demonstrated willingness to sacrifice something meaningful truly deserves the adjective "courageous."
By accepting the Pulitzer, The New York Times has only served to highlight the stark contrast between the establishment's self-congratulation and the President's self-sacrifice. It is a reminder of the disconnect between the mainstream media and the values of many Americans, and a testament to the courage and resilience of individuals like Trump who stand firm in the face of adversity.
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