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FIRST ON FOX — As President Donald Trump approaches the 100th day of his second term, a recent analysis reveals that evening newscasts from ABC, NBC, and CBS have delivered an astounding 92% negative coverage of his presidency, according to findings from the Media Research Center.
This extensive study scrutinized the broadcasts of ABC’s “World News Tonight,” “NBC Nightly News,” and “CBS Evening News” from January 20 through April 9, revealing a total of 899 stories focused on President Trump or his administration. The results show that a staggering 92.2% of the coverage was negative, leaving only 7.8% positive.
Rich Noyes, a researcher at the Media Research Center, remarked that the media landscape for Trump is more unfavorable now than it was during his initial presidency. He noted that during Trump’s earlier term eight years ago, coverage was still predominantly negative, with reports indicating 89% of the content was unfavorable.
Comparison with Biden’s Coverage
This analysis starkly contrasts with the media portrayal of former President Joe Biden during the early days of his administration. According to the Media Research Center, Biden enjoyed a much more favorable slant, receiving 59% positive coverage during his first 100 days in office.
Noyes further highlighted that despite the negative coverage surrounding Trump, networks are drawn to him as a newsworthy subject. Between January 20 and April 9, 2017, the networks dedicated an impressive 1,900 minutes to Trump news. This year, during the same time frame, they provided a substantial 1,716 minutes of coverage focused on Trump. In comparison, Biden only garnered 726 minutes, illustrating a significant disparity in airtime over these crucial initial weeks.
Methodology of the Study
The Media Research Center articulated its methodology for determining the tone of coverage by counting all explicitly evaluative statements regarding President Trump. This analysis included comments from reporters, anchors, and non-partisan sources such as experts or voters, while excluding partisan figures, such as elected officials.
Focus on Trump’s Policies
Interestingly, while Trump’s personal controversies dominated much of the news cycle during his first term, the first 100 days of his second term have shifted focus primarily to policy matters. The MRC study indicates that coverage related to tariffs topped the list, amassing 361 minutes, followed by discussions around DOGE which received 301 minutes. Immigration also featured prominently, with 233 minutes of airtime dedicated to the subject.
Noyes explained that the networks adopted an overwhelmingly negative spin on Trump’s tariff policies, reporting 93% negative reactions. The reduction in government spending linked to DOGE also faced severe criticism, attracting 97% negative coverage. Even a topic such as immigration, where Trump typically receives higher public approval, generated 93% negative coverage. Out of nearly four hours of airtime dedicated to immigration, only a mere 3.5 minutes informed viewers about the reduction in border crossings during Trump’s administration.
Negative Sentiment Toward Trump’s Associates
The negative sentiment was not limited to Trump alone; his associates received similarly unfavorable coverage. The analysis found that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced 89% negative reporting. Similarly, Elon Musk, associated with DOGE, endured an alarming 96% negative portrayal, while Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was subjected to 100% negative coverage across the evening broadcasts of ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Networks Respond to Inquiries
Despite requests for comments, ABC, NBC, and CBS did not provide any immediate response regarding the recent findings. President Trump maintains a complicated history with these networks, now embroiled in legal action against CBS, alleging election interference stemming from a “60 Minutes” interview featuring Kamala Harris last year.
Additionally, Trump settled a high-profile defamation lawsuit against ABC for $15 million, while also hosting the reality show “The Apprentice” on NBC prior to embarking on his political career.
Public Perception and Media Influence
A White House spokesperson expressed concerns regarding how mainstream media portray Trump’s achievements. They emphasized that despite the persistent negative framing, a significant number of Americans, 77 million to be exact, supported Trump’s policies. The spokesperson pointed out that the ongoing decline in traditional media ratings indicates a shift in how the public consumes news and evaluates political figures.
In summary, the overwhelming negative coverage of President Trump from major television networks during the early days of his second term raises questions about media bias and the portrayal of political figures. As the landscape of news consumption evolves, it remains to be seen how this trend will influence public perception and political discourse in the coming months.
