Regarding “D.C. media’s anti-Trump bias amps up outrage” (Jan. 18): Citing all his many years of political journalism, Andrew Malcolm blames the divisive, contentious discord in our country on journalists and, specifically, liberal journalists. He demonstrates by equating President Trump’s constant lies, false accusations and inflated numbers as the president just being a jerk like all the presidents before him, because they didn’t keep campaign promises, so they are liars, too. Trump doesn’t care if the divisive and outrageous statements he makes are accurate. Us against them is exactly what he wants. Our division is his strength. Anger energizes his base, distracts attention from his crimes, cronyism, destructive policies and intellectual shortcomings. Bypassing journalists, Trump uses social media to disparage the mainstream media, leading his followers to believe only him, instead of the FBI, CIA, U.S. Department of Justice and all the mainstream media. Thankfully, most of the journalists in our mainstream media understand that calling out Trump’s lies is protecting the basis of our democracy. Using their investigative skills and diligence to details and facts, they risk the verbal assault of a powerful bully to let the public know that what he is telling them is not the truth.
Madeline Preisner, Novato
