What is sanewashing? It's the practice of news organizations taking a wild rant from Trump — loaded with conspiracy theories, personal attacks against others, name-calling, and other childish behaviors (and, not to mention, signs of mental decline) — and reporting on it in a way that ignores all of those problems, and just focuses on some parts of his statements, resulting in making him seem more reasonable.
Parker Malloy at The New Republic explains it REALLY well, and her column is worth a full read, but here are some highlights:
As Trump’s statements grow increasingly unhinged in his old age, major news outlets continue to reframe his words, presenting a dangerously misleading picture to the public.
For instance, last week, Trump posted the following to his Truth Social account:
I have reached an agreement with the Radical Left Democrats for a Debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. It will be Broadcast Live on ABC FAKE NEWS, by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business, on Tuesday, September 10th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden. The Debate will be “stand up,” and Candidates cannot bring notes, or “cheat sheets.” We have also been given assurance by ABC that this will be a “fair and equitable” Debate, and that neither side will be given the questions in advance (No Donna Brazile!). Harris would not agree to the FoxNews Debate on September 4th, but that date will be held open in case she changes her mind or, Flip Flops, as she has done on every single one of her long held and cherished policy beliefs. A possible third Debate, which would go to NBC FAKE NEWS, has not been agreed to by the Radical Left. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
CNN described that rambling, insult-laden, conspiracy-riddled wall of text—itself a pretty good example of what he spends his time off the campaign trail doing—by writing, “Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced he has ‘reached an agreement’ to participate in a September 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, noting that ‘the rules will be the same as the last CNN debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone.’”
Does that really capture what Trump posted?
Malloy goes on to say that the "'sanewashing' of Trump’s statements isn’t just poor journalism; it’s a form of misinformation that poses a threat to democracy."
"By continually reframing Trump’s incoherent and often dangerous rhetoric as conventional political discourse, major news outlets are failing in their duty to inform the public and are instead providing cover for increasingly erratic behavior from a former — and potentially future — president," Malloy adds.
It is especially important to address Trump's mental ability (or rather, inability) to serve as president again, as we saw a different candidate for president, Joe Biden, drop out of the race over similar concerns about his mental status.
"By continually reframing Trump’s incoherent and often dangerous rhetoric as conventional political discourse, major news outlets are failing in their duty to inform the public and are instead providing cover for increasingly erratic behavior from a former — and potentially future — president," Malloy adds.
It is especially important to address Trump's mental ability (or rather, inability) to serve as president again, as we saw a different candidate for president, Joe Biden, drop out of the race over similar concerns about his mental status.
Why was the media willing to report on the flubs and mistakes Biden made while speaking, but won't properly report on Trump's "old man yelling at cloud" persona that clearly shows he's not ready/capable to be president again? It's not only hypocrisy, but it's dangerous, considering what kind of president Trump has promised to be -- a dictator who would be willing to suspend the Constitution in order to get what he wants.
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