The media’s relentless distortion of reality is a glaring issue that can no longer be ignored. Take the way they twist Donald Trump’s actions into tyranny while conveniently excusing their own corruption. Roger Kimball, in his sharp critique, emphasizes how today’s media engages in a deliberate and calculated manipulation of facts. He would likely see today’s media as the epitome of deceitful oratory, a far cry from the standards set by the likes of Quintilian, who dissected the art of persuasion and deceit in ancient Rome. In fact, the current state of media in the West is so far removed from truth that even a figure as steeped in rhetoric as Quintilian would have plenty to examine.
A case in point is The New York Times article that tried to drag Elon Musk’s past into the present by claiming that Musk, who left apartheid South Africa in the late 1980s, is irrevocably tainted by his upbringing in that racially divided society. The insinuation is clear: despite decades of distancing himself from South Africa, Musk’s worldview is forever shaped by that history. It’s a clear attempt at defaming him. Kimball would no doubt view this as a classic example of how the media distorts history and uses irrelevant details to create a narrative that suits its ideological purposes. It is a web of half-truths and innuendos carefully spun to undermine Musk’s achievements and values, all based on something beyond his control or relevance today.
The media continues to weaponize its narrative against anyone who challenges the elite establishment. This theme resurfaces in CNN’s Stephen Collinson’s article, “Trump’s Assault on Elites Encompasses Almost Every Aspect of American Life.” Collinson’s piece suggests that Trump has used his power to manipulate every aspect of American life to wage an assault on a so-called “elite.” In truth, this “elite” is not elite by any objective measure—they are privileged individuals with credentialed positions, not necessarily skilled or accomplished but holding power because of their social and financial connections. Kimball, had he reviewed this, would likely have pointed out how the real elite, those who truly achieve greatness, are often outside this insulated system.
And then there’s the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold the rule of law, like certain legal scholars and professors from Harvard Law, who point fingers at Trump. But where were they when federal prosecutors brought unprecedented criminal charges against Trump—charges that many saw as politically motivated? Where were they when the radical activists harassed Supreme Court justices or when mobs gathered at the court? Kimball’s critique of the media’s double standards would certainly resonate here. The selective outrage from these legal elites reveals how deeply embedded they are within a system that shields their own while attacking their political enemies.
Ultimately, Kimball’s analysis points to the larger issue at play: the media serves the interests of the establishment. Rather than offer fair and balanced reporting, it protects those in power while smearing those who stand up to them. Musk and Trump are simply the latest targets in this ongoing battle. The media has perfected the art of deception, using its platform to craft false narratives that maintain the status quo and protect its own power.
Sources:
https://reason.com/volokh/2025/03/30/harvard-law-school-v-vermeule/