In the first few weeks of his second term in office, we have seen numerous executive orders signed, and decisions made, which have disrupted the fabric of so-called ‘western values’.
This behaviour has earned Trump the widely used title of a ‘malignant narcissist’, a phrase coned to describe the president in the documentary ‘Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump’. Since, multiple international news sources, including The Jakarta Post and France 24, have covered the label and legitimised its use. Beyond this, former communications director for Trumps administration Anthony Scaramucci has outwardly characterised the president as “manically narcissist”.
Scaramucci now works on the high-profile podcast ‘The Rest is Politics: US’ turning journalism into a transparent form of reporting. This paradox of loyalty is evidence of the fear factor surrounding Trump’s second term. Scaramucci’s insight gives us a partial explanation for why Donald Trump has repeatedly belittled and berated reporters and journalists.
Aside from Trump’s disregard for journalists throughout his first term, the now President reasserted his behaviour during his 2025 Presidential campaign trail, and has held onto it tightly in the White House.
Trump has gone as far as attacking the nature of journalists, calling them ‘stupid’ and ‘horrible people’ in multiple circumstances.
Under criticism from reporters in recent press conferences, Trump has attacked questioning regarding his pardoning of January 6th rioters, and of his handling of the recent DC plane crash. Trump has gone as far as attacking the nature of journalists, calling them ‘stupid’ and ‘horrible people’ in multiple circumstances.
In July 2024 Trump berated ABC news correspondent Rachel Scott at the National Association of Black Journalists, calling her questioning ‘disgraceful’ and ‘nasty’ when being asked why the black population should trust him.
Amidst the profoundly unsettling nature of US global relations since President Trump’s re-election, I note the fear and uncertainty around the role of the media as an effective form of scrutiny.
If the President can abuse his position of power to belittle and demean those asking the important questions, then the right to freedom of speech is seriously infringed upon.
For me, the anxiety is clear. If the President can abuse his position of power to belittle and demean those asking the important questions, then the right to freedom of speech is seriously infringed upon.
Whilst the rise of fake news is not isolated to the United States, the significance of the US as a global actor creates precedent for this type of unacceptable behaviour among other world leaders. The growing oligarchical dynamics in the US, including the illegitimate power of Elon Musk, is creating space for the flame of effective journalism to be snuffed out.
There lies a sad irony in being able to sit and write this article when the very freedom I can enjoy by writing my opinion is being slowly stripped away from the approximately 335 million people who live in the United States.
Donald Trumps persistent scolding of journalists who question his decisions introduces us to a new type of presidential logic. One that is becoming more inherently insane.
This is an important time to recognise how the presidency is currently censoring the checks and balances which make America the great democracy that it likes to see itself as. Democracy can no longer be characterised by measurements or definitions. Rather, in the case where Donald trump feels he can reject scrutiny, it stands for freedom from tyranny and fear, and we must protect this.