Time for the media to call out Donald Trump

Donald Trump is a threat to American democracy our mainstream media seems to be enabling.

Now, Trump is the presumptive nominee, the press and the candidate’s own henchmen have predicted a “pivot” to normal. Some have the idea that the Republican norm likes Trump’s inadequacy, his proud ignorance, his bullying, and his incivility worked in the primaries, but these qualities should not play well with general electorate.

The Republican party, significant institution with a substantial place in the American establishment. Donald Trump, an individual with a history of clownishness, abnormality is his way of life — of grabbing attention, making money. In this election, he has depended on not being normalized, and when he seemed like the longest of long shots for the GOP nomination, the main-stream media accommodated him.

Whether or not we save ourselves from ourselves. Looking to the media we all love and support as a voice for reason is likely to be a disappointment. Both media and politics share a long-standing tendency that kicks in: Anyone, or any institution that, exercises power always gets normalized. It doesn’t make any difference where that power comes from. It doesn’t make any difference how reprehensible the expression of power may be. It is time for the media and readers, listeners to stand up and be vocal to the real dangers of normalizing the Trump candidacy.

We can let the media normalize Trump and think of him as another presidential contender. We can do that. But that is how we lose.

This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 8:23 AM with the headline "Time for the media to call out Donald Trump."