Democratic groups once complained about Donald Trump's airtime, even blaming the media for his 2016 triumph. After eight years, many Democrats want more Trump in the media, not less, with the White House in play and Trump's poll numbers high.
Some want the former president to post all-caps X rants again. Others quickly post his remarks and interviews on social media. President Joe Biden's campaign social media sites have posted Trump White House reminders.
American Bridge 21st Century, Democrats' premier opposition research super PAC, feels the strongest weapon against Trump is the man himself, unfiltered. It encourages all voters to watch whole Trump rallies livestreamed.
“We want any and everybody to watch a Trump rally,” said organization spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “In 2016, the conventional wisdom was, ‘Don’t give him airtime, don’t platform him, don’t give him breath.’ But this is 2024, and we want everyone to see his threat.”
It's a big change from 2016, when Democrats, progressive leaders, and even some Republicans chastised news networks for giving Trump too much airtime, even airing video of empty lecterns with the chyron “awaiting Trump speech.”
Party officials believe many Americans have moved on from the instability of the Trump White House to hazier nostalgia for his leadership. Trump has outperformed Biden in favorability in survey after poll, something that never happened until their 2020 clash. Trump fans seem unconcerned by his many felony convictions.
I always disagreed with those who advocated not to ‘platform’ Trump. His GOP nomination has been probable for two years. Longtime Democratic strategist Lis Smith, now with the DNC, said the American people should hear from him directly. “I suspect the more they do, the more they will be reminded of the utter chaos of his four years in office, and the less likely they will be to vote for him.”
They say brief social media video or news pieces can't portray a Trump rally's rambling, partially improvised, over-the-top bluster. Trump's speeches often extend over 90 minutes and cover everything from pop culture and sports conflicts to life-or-death national security matters to toilet water pressure.
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