Regardless of what happens next, Trump has made it farther than virtually all original projections. With the benefit of hindsight, Trump’s attackers might have accurately stated: “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.”
Here are eight Trump enemies helping him succeed.
- John McCain: McCain’s insult of Trump supporters last summer launched one of the now-infamous Trump counter-attacks. Trump persevered the Republican and media onslaught and refused the media demands to apologize. That distinguished Trump, in the minds of voters, from the usual pattern: politician says something, media and opponents demand an apology, politician apologizes. July 18, 2015, the New York Post claims “Trump Campaign Implodes.”
- The Huffington Post: The liberal website hoped to damage Trump with its audacious announcement that it was going to cover his campaign exclusively on the entertainment pages. To Trump supporters, it confirmed their longstanding notion of the media as unfair and biased. The website was forced into an embarrassing reversal less than four months later. Aug. 21, 2015, The Huffington Post explains why it decided Trump was just entertainment…before deciding Trump wasn’t just entertainment: “HuffPost Explains Why Trump Coverage is Entertainment on Morning Joe.”
- The News Media: The media initially gave Trump nonstop exposure believing that the more people saw of Trump, the more they would be repulsed by him. By the time they realized it backfired, they were so addicted to the high ratings that Trump provided, they were unable to cut the cord. Sept. 27, 2015, The Huffington Post declares it’s “The Beginning of the End for Trump: His Sarah Palin Moment.”
- The Brits: When the UK Parliament debated whether to ban Trump from visiting the United Kingdom, it solidified the view of his supporters who see the so-called establishment around the world fighting their candidate. Trump’s supporters were also incensed by the media’s apparent concern over what other countries think of our politicians: foreign nations typically embrace our liberal officials and dislike our conservative officials. Jan. 8, 2016, The Washington Post reports: Donald Trump gets pummeled by the British
- The Pope: The Pope passing judgement on Trump’s Christianity served as further proof to Trump’s supporters that the most powerful forces are stacked against him. Feb. 18, 2016, Reuters writes: Pope says Trump ‘not Christian’ in a sign of global concern.
- Mitt Romney: Romney’s attacks on Trump served to cement the idea of Trump as outside of a tone-deaf Republican establishment. It also reminded voters that Romney is tied to Wall Street interests that stand to lose out under a Trump presidency. March 6, 2016, UPI reports Mitt Romney: Attacks on Donald Trump Worked.
- Chicago Protesters: While the news media blamed Trump for bad behavior at his rallies, his supporters viewed it as instigated by profane protesters who crossed the line after being organized by the likes of controversial left wing propaganda groups such as MoveOn.org. On March 13, 2016, New Yorker reported: The Chicago Anti-Trump Protest was only the Beginning.
- #NeverTrump: Social media may appear to be something like 90% anti-Trump, but to Trump’s supporters, it’s serves as daily evidence of a media landscape domineered by a vocal group that doesn’t represent them.
More Sunday on Full Measure. Full Measure is broadcast to 43 million households on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Telemundo and CW affiliates nationwide. Watch live stream at 9:30a EST Sundays at FullMeasure.news or replays anytime.
Indeed there’s a tug of war between the American people and the entrenched ruling establishment and the threat against their vast empire of personal interests that Donald Trump presidency signifies. It’s truly an odd thing for me to watch as it reminds me of my country of birth Iran — as incongruous as that might seem! But we had an unknown man turned into a messiah of hopenchange that arrived out of nowhere to fundamentally transform Iran, and the legacy of that leader and that change are the thugs and fascists ruling today and their entrenched empire of interests and their interminable tug of war with the people ever since. It’s so close these parallels …. it’s TOO CLOSE for comfort for this American immigrant to watch.
Interesting points you make. One should never have great faith in one man. I remember Khomeini said he could work within a pluralist system. Seems to me he thought the Iranian people were idiots waiting to be manipulated, and he really put one over on them and it has been terrible for that nation. That’s why our founding fathers attempted to put so many checks and balances in the Constitution. It pains me to see how little many democrats and even Supreme Court justices think of the Constitution.
The banksters need a war desperately right now. They’ve tried so hard in Syria and it just hasn’t worked. Now they’ve got crazy Trump actually saying we should stay out of the Middle East and focus on our own problems, and people are listening… what’s a self-respecting globalist financier to do? Without the US military killing people and breaking things, there is no future growth path for them. So they send their puppets like Kasich and Romney out to talk up the fight against “evil” and threaten Russia and China, hoping to fool those dumb white ‘Murkins one more time into sending their sons off to die for God and Country and Goldman Sachs.
I hope you mean Barack Obama is this so called hope n change agent, right?
Excellent summation of the ‘enemies’ – now we will know which ones to thank after President Trump is sworn in! ;)
Very good reporting by an outstanding professional journalist. Good luck!
I’d throw in his takedown of Jorge Ramos too.
Ms Atkinson,
You are truly a hero of mine.
Your steadfast determination to continue real, investigative journalism while at CBS was beyond courageous. That you are not still writing for them is their great loss. I am sure that I’m not alone when I say that the only reason I watched CBS ( except for golf and the SuperBowl) was when I knew one of your pieces would be airing.
I’m so sorry you had to endure the unnerving experience of your computer being surveilled by the powers that be. I’m sure this episode was a great leaning experience for you, and you now know the extents that some will go to protect themselves from exposure.
Your current piece, “8 Trump Enemies…”, showcases your superior incisive grasp of the events that currently roil our nation. You continue to take my breath away with every article you write.
I want to thank you for persevering after the haunting experiences you’ve had, and for this website, which allows me follow one of the last, true investigative journalists.
Btw, I didn’t know about your television program until just now. I will seek it out and TiVo it at all costs.
Thank you again,
Marc Theune
Sharyl is great. I’d just like to note that it is illegal to protest an event protected by Secret Service. Which I guess makes it illegal to organize one. Not sure about giving emotional or material support to such a criminal conspiracy. Be nice if the DOJ would weigh in on this…
A great leader is normally created by the opportunities open before him and his ability to take advantage of them.
Let’s think in historical terms. What was Alexander the Great before he had the opportunity to conquer the world?
If he had to deal with an army of cowards who had no motivation or advantage to defend their country, so do Trump’s opponents.
And Donald Trump is slowly being turned into a great leader with the help of the same people who are supposed to fight him. Ironically.
Thank you for hanging in there against the establishment and many other powerful forces that wish to destroy the US as founded and guided by the constitution. I pray that God may protect you and help you in everything you do.