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Trump's National Speech Has the Press Spinning Wildly, Leading to Dizzying Partisan Analysis

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  Dec 18, 2025
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Pathological Media Amnesia – ABC NEWS

  • It was just three years ago, Jon, c'mon already…

After President Trump's speech in primetime last night, Jonathan Karl spoke with George Stephanopoulos and made some odd declarations. He was annoyed that there had been no major news announcement, just a basic stump speech, and that at times the president appeared angry or combative:

When the president of the United States asks for primetime network airtime to address the nation, it is usually either to make a statement about a national crisis, to announce a major new initiative, or to speak on an issue of war and peace. This was none of that. In fact, I cannot recall a primetime presidential address that was as defensive and hyperpartisan as this one.

As a reminder, Jon, look at Philadelphia 2022: All of those elements are in play with that infamous Red Lecture Speech delivered by Joe Biden, when he declared Trump and his supporters "represent an extremism" and a "threat to this country"?

Body Checking the Fact-Checkers – WASHINGTON POST

  • "Wait, you mean people heard his words, and read mine?!"

Matt Viser rushed to his keyboard because he wanted to instantly refute Trump's claim about gas prices. And then Matt had to sheepishly trundle back to his laptop to address his error.

Viser had pegged Trump in a lie about the national gas price, except that he was informed that the president had noted in some areas of the country, gas was below $2.00 a gallon, and when presented with the proof, he had to address his error.

Low-Octane Gaslighting – MS NOW

  • If only he had said the things you accused him of saying, you'd have a point.

In an example of far less diligence about taking corrective measures, Jen Psaki jumped at the chance to say Trump lies on this same subject of gas prices. She boldly delivered her rebuttal with the accurate figures of the national average on the pricing.

Small problem for Jennifer: He never mentioned the "national average," she trucked that detail in to make her allegedly disqualifying point.

Artisanally-Crafted Narratives – NBC NEWS

  • We could call it "Trump Diligence Syndrome."

Peter Alexander also jumped into the fray. He saw fit to say that Trump's speech was mostly political (wait, a politician gave a "political" speech, you say?!), filled with grievances (it was mostly comprised of him touting the successful policies experienced), and he dared to say negative things about Biden's mess (which was not in any way refuted by Mr. Alexander.) Also avoided were the announced bonus payouts to be made for military members ahead of the Christmas holiday.

Of course, we never saw this level of deeply critical analysis whenever Biden gave his far more infrequent speeches – such as the aforementioned Red Lecture speech.

DNC PR Firm – ABC NEWS

  • We thought they despised injecting religion into politics?

David Muir had a curious way of covering the recent announcement that New York was going to legalize doctor-assisted euthanasia. Sensing the disturbing avenue this legislation traverses, Muir strove to couch things as being a difficult decision for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul:

New York Governor Kathy Hochul says she will sign a right-to-die bill passed over the summer in New York. Gov. Hochul, who is Catholic, says supporting the bill is a difficult decision because of her faith.

It is always telling when the media veer from condemning religion when it infringes on politics they disagree with, but when convenient, they can inject it into a narrative as an attempt to stave off opposition from those bothersome devout citizens.