Scott’s Thought: If Trump wins the election tomorrow, corporate (“mainstream”) media is dead

If Trump wins the 2024 election, brace yourself for a seismic shift that could flatten corporate media like an unwelcome house guest on an old futon. Why? Because trust in mainstream news has been eroded so thoroughly that another Trump presidency might finish the job of making them irrelevant. Here’s why that’s not hyperbole, but reality:

1. Conspiracies That Turned True: Let’s start with their Achilles’ heel: “conspiracy theories” that actually ended up being correct. During the COVID pandemic, major outlets dismissed any discussion of the virus potentially leaking from a Wuhan lab as fringe nonsense. By 2023, even the U.S. Department of Energy and the FBI had supported the lab leak hypothesis, highlighting how media gatekeeping blocked reasonable discourse​ (Law.com​). These blunders shattered public trust.
2. Bias and Disparity in Coverage: Media coverage of Trump has been a masterclass in lopsided journalism. During the 2016 and 2020 elections, studies showed upwards of 90% negative coverage toward Trump, dwarfing the more mixed-to-positive portrayal of his opponents​Columbia SPS. This isn’t just spin—it’s calculated disparity that makes audiences question integrity. Meanwhile, a study by Columbia University indicated that even so-called “unbiased” outlets often showed distinct tones when covering Trump versus other political figures​ (Columbia SPS).
3. Trump, Vance, and the Joe Rogan Effect: Enter new media juggernauts like Joe Rogan’s podcast, which boasts an average of 11 million listeners per episode—significantly outpacing network nightly newscasts that collectively reach around 18.5 million viewers across ABC, NBC, and CBS combined (​Law.com). Rogan recently hosted both Trump and Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, bringing unfiltered discussions on policy, COVID, and cultural topics to a massive audience disillusioned with the polished, agenda-laden broadcasts of legacy media ​(Columbia SPS).
4. Why Audiences are Fleeing: Mainstream networks have struggled to maintain relevance as figures like Rogan tap into a desire for raw, authentic conversation. This migration is more than anecdotal; it’s numerical proof that audiences crave direct, uncut commentary without the spin. The New York Times noted that traditional media’s ratings have seen dramatic dips, especially after Trump left office, underscoring how dependent they became on covering his every move ​(Law.com).
5. Future Media Landscape: If Trump wins again in 2024, expect a shift where audiences pivot even more toward platforms perceived as less filtered and more diverse in perspective. A mainstream media that’s already skating on thin ice could find itself underwater, gasping for credibility. Legacy outlets may face existential threats if they can’t adjust to a media landscape dominated by figures like Rogan, who embody a blend of skepticism and populist engagement.

In sum, Trump’s potential return isn’t just a political story—it’s a media apocalypse in waiting. The industry’s decision to label any challenge to its narratives as conspiracy has backfired, with even liberal audiences splintering off to independent platforms. If Trump’s grip returns, don’t be surprised if the crumbling sound you hear is the media’s last shred of mainstream dominance being stomped underfoot.

Want to see this unravel live? Catch the Rogan episodes featuring Trump and Vance for a taste of unfiltered discourse that’s leaving corporate networks eating his dust.