A heated discussion took place on CNN’s Anderson Cooper’s show, involving podcast presenter, Charlamagne tha God, on Thursday evening. Their argument escalated to a sharp exchange featuring the word “bulls**t” – quite a potent situation for prime time news viewers.
Their argument was a precise representation of the clash between modern and traditional media in the contest of influence during the election. Charlamagne had previously engaged in a comprehensive interview with Kamala Harris. On Friday, news broke that Donald Trump is slated for a sit-down with Joe Rogan, a former wrestler and now a podcast celebrity, known for his tranquil demeanour and impressive biceps, sure to unsettle Trump and evoke peculiar comments.
Ruffled was Cooper, at Charlemagne’s claim that CNN hadn’t sufficiently scrutinised Trump’s statements. Anderson, the news-anchor personality demonstrated on screen, is hard to harbour a dislike for. Anderson, who recently reported on a hurricane in Florida from a pier near Tampa Bay, braving fierce rain and wind under the lack of protection from a light raincoat, displaying the hazardous conditions. His riveting and distracting coverage likely had numerous American viewers fearing for his safety on live television and exclaiming about his audacious behaviour. Cooper is known for always being at the centre of the action.
Meanwhile, Thursday also saw Fox News, CNN’s biggest rival, reviewing the Town Hall debate involving Harris moderated by a freshened up Cooper. A statement by former senior adviser to Obama and current CNN regular, David Axelrod, that described Harris’s responses as “word salad city”, was the focus of Fox hosts. It must be noted that Axelrod had used the phrase in discussing the pros and cons of Harris’s speaking style. A fact that was cherry-picked by the Fox hosts and manipulated to their maximum advantage.
Fox has long been known for its unmistakable full-MAGA lean in covering elections. The Harris campaign bravely undertook a daring decision to be interviewed by Bret Baier, Fox’s veteran anchor, who is well-known for his impartial and balanced approach.
In the bitterly icy night of January, at Des Moines, a handful of people were stranded in the sad lobby of a gigantic venue, waiting for cabs that did not arrive. This occurred post a Fox Town Hall featuring Trump, hosted by Baier. The Trump campaign cleverly engineered their grassroots game by introducing “precinct captains”, tasked with managing a specific number of voters, distinguished by their miniature naval caps. One such precinct captain, donning his cap, engaged Baier into a conversation, which, despite seeming like the world was ending outside, turned to be quite pleasant. Baier, beneath his TV persona, is a warm human. Anticipated to begin a fiery interview with Harris, he did not disappoint and delivered an assertive 20 minutes. It turned out to be one of the monumental TV instances of the election.
Fox’s pro-Trump lean in their coverage can often cause jaws to hit the floor. Accusations are common that CNN is equally guilty of a conspicuous left-leaning, pro-Democrat bias. CNN’s host coverage is often critical of the Trump campaign. But amongst CNN’s line-up figures like Jake Trapper and Kaitlan Collins, there are numerous accomplished journalists who ask tough questions to Harris and, previously, Biden’s campaign too.
The snag for both networks is that their audience comprises those who echo their political views and dogmas, leading to a dwindling viewership. Many Americans readily admit to shunning both and general news in the mainstream; Tuesday’s announcement from Barack Obama that he doesn’t look at cable news must have shattered a host of mini executive hearts. One wonders how the revered figure sources his news. Or is he content reading Thoreau, shooting the odd basketball in his backyard, secretly smoking under the pretence of raking leaves? This question remains unanswered by any news network.
The fight to gain a superior stake in the market is perilous. Top-level presenters on Fox and CNN are granted generous contracts to anchor their programmes, in what has become an intensely competitive race – a rapid look back a decade uncovers an immensely varied host lineup. The challenge to acquire new spectators has only heightened, especially with CNN dealing with a crisis in recent times.
The whole US election can be interpreted as a ludicrous, continuous 12-month, multibillion dollar TV game show, where everyone, inclusive of potential and past presidents, plays a part. A notable trend this year is both campaigning parties cherry-picking popular podcasts to pull large numbers from their target demographics; this is a fresh approach. However, it is merely a furtherance of the game-like abstraction of the immense political chaos that is observed today; a setting where truly listening to others seems to have fallen by the wayside.