The Republican National Convention concludes tonight with a speech by nominee Donald Trump. Below is a look back at some highlights from Media Matters’ coverage of Trump’s 13 months as a candidate so far.
Trump Has Found Allies At Fox News And In The Larger Conservative Media
While Trump and Fox News publicly feuded at times during the Republican primary, the network’s support for Trump is undeniable, as it showered the nominee with far more interview airtime than any of his rivals. Many conservatives both inside and outside Fox News have also been eager to explain away any and all controversies surrounding the candidate:
How Conservative Media Enabled Trump’s Outrageous Lies
Donald Trump & Fox News: Timeline Of A Relationship
STUDY: Trump Won The Fox Primary, Doubling Any Other Candidate In Interview Airtime
STUDY: As The General Election Looms, Trump Retreats To Fox News
A Guide To Hannity's Desperate Defenses Of Trump
The 11 Worst Right-Wing Media Defenses Of Donald Trump's Campaign (So Far)
But Not All Right-Wing Media Are On Board With Trump
Trump’s candidacy has driven a wedge in the conservative media landscape, with numerous prominent pundits decrying the Republican nominee as unfit to be president:
20-Plus Conservative Pundits Who Have Vowed Not To Support Trump If He's The Nominee
INFOGRAPHIC: The Conservative Civil War Over Donald Trump
National Review And 22 Conservative Media Personalities Call Trump A “Philosophically Unmoored Political Opportunist”
Trump’s Alliance With Conspiracy Theorists
Some of Trump’s strongest supporters are prominent conspiracy theorists and smear artists:
A Comprehensive Guide To Trump Ally Roger Stone, A Racist, Sexist Conspiracy Theorist
Donald Trump Praises Leading Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones And His “Amazing” Reputation
Embracing The Clinton Crazies, Trump Becomes AM Talk Radio’s Nominee For President
Trump’s White Nationalist Media Fans
Trump’s candidacy has found a troubling fan base among white nationalist media figures and groups. The white nationalists have cheered his campaign and his proposed policies, defended him over several race-based controversies, and used his candidacy to fundraise.
White Nationalists Love Trump’s Convention: “GOP Is Becoming The De Facto White Party”
“Trump Is Right”: Trump’s White Nationalist Backers Applaud His Racist Attacks On Federal Judge
White Nationalist Leaders Praise Trump’s “Stunning” Anti-Semitic Tweet
The Trump Campaign's Long And Complicated History Of White Nationalist Support
Donald Trump's Campaign Gave Press Credentials To A White Nationalist Radio Program
Donald Trump Is A Fundraising Engine For White Nationalist Media
Mainstream Media Dropping The Ball On Holding Trump Accountable
While some outlets have intermittently done a good job of fact-checking Trump and his policy proposals, non-conservative outlets have faced widespread criticism for generally failing to hold Trump accountable, featuring wall-to-wall coverage of Trump’s candidacy, and allowing him phone in for interviews at an alarming rate:
Veteran Campaign Reporters: “The Stakes Are Too High” To Let Trump Get Away With Constant Lying
Veteran Journalists And Historians Rip “Pathetic” And “Fawning” Media Coverage Of Trump
How The Media Helped Donald Trump Boost His Candidacy
How Media Outlets Repeatedly Hyped An Imaginary Trump Pivot
Veteran Journalists: Trump Coverage “Devastating” For News Credibility
The Staggering Numbers Behind The Media's Trump Obsession
Media Critics: Networks Should Hang Up On Trump Phone Interviews
STUDY: Trump The Only Candidate To Swamp The Sunday Shows With Phone Interviews
The Trump Campaign’s War On The Press
Trump and his campaign have waged a war against the media:
Libel Laws, Threats, Nasty Insults: A Guide To Trump’s War Against The Media
Journalism Rights Groups Fear Trump’s Threat To Press Freedom
Former White House Press Secretaries Fear Trump Could Poison White House Press Relations