Political analyst Mark Halperin remarked on Wednesday that Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, thinks the media is making a significant error by portraying President Donald Trump’s policies as simply “extreme”—saying they appeal only to a narrow base.
Trump has backed various policies that enjoy substantial support, such as banning biological males from competing in women’s sports, deporting undocumented immigrants, cutting down on government waste, and lowering prescription drug prices. Halperin pointed out during “The Charlie Kirk Show” that if former President Barack Obama had taken similar actions against the pharmaceutical industry, the media would likely have hailed him as a “hero.”
“This is really the biggest mistake the media makes in covering Donald Trump—they often classify him as extreme,” Halperin told Kirk. “But the truth is, he’s more popular than they acknowledge, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You could say that past presidents often act as if the American public is overwhelmed by rising drug prices, while in other countries, people frequently pay even more.”
Halperin continued, “And President Trump, well, he has the boldness to declare, ‘Big Pharma, it’s time for a change.’ Unlike previous leaders, he’s willing to challenge their pricing strategies.”
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order claiming it would lower drug prices by over 59% and eliminate what he views as unfair costs stemming from U.S. investments in drug R&D. “For the first time in years, we’re making prescription drugs more affordable and fair for Americans,” he stated at the White House, adding that the U.S. has been supporting other nations while addressing these issues.
However, the pharmaceutical industry may push back against this executive order, as American consumers account for a significant portion of their profits—between 64% and 78%, according to a 2018 USC report.
Mainstream media outlets did not present the executive order in a favorable light. The New York Times described it with a headline stating, “Trump’s Order Lacks Substance,” while NPR reported, “Trump’s Order to Reduce Drug Prices Raises Questions About Implementation.”
