Media and Democrats React to America’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations
As the media builds excitement around the 250th anniversary of America, they also accuse Donald Trump of politicizing the occasion. A recent Fox News poll indicates that just 27% of Democrats feel pride in the nation, prompting discussions among commentators like Griff Jenkins and Charlie Hart about these divisive sentiments.
This weekend, we can expect a flashy fireworks display aimed at appealing to patriotic Americans, even as it highlights the Democratic Party’s apparent lack of pride in the U.S. It’s reminiscent of New Year’s Eve celebrations with musical acts, fireworks, and toasts. However, surveys suggest that enthusiasm for patriotism among Democrats has notably decreased. For many, Trump’s pledge to “make America great again” feels reflexively wrong—if he loves the country, they believe he must be mistaken. Some view patriotism as merely a ploy used by white individuals to exclude immigrants.
There’s a long-standing perception on the left that patriotism is a tool for warmongers, with those identifying as Christian patriots often labeled as “Christian nationalists.” If you’re a supporter of Trump, you might wrongly be tagged as a “white supremacist.”
FOX News Poll: ‘Resilient Grievances’ Shape America’s Mood on 250th Anniversary
Anti-American attitudes frequently stem from media bias. Take a recent pair of headlines from NBC News, for instance: as we near the anniversary, some Americans now see the Star-Spangled Banner as a red flag. To some, the American flag is viewed as “Old Glory,” while others interpret it as a “MAGA hat on a stick.”
For many, expressing opposition to America is perceived as a profoundly American act. An NBC reporter noted that some individuals have opted to display the flag upside down to protest against President Trump, symbolizing that they believe the nation is currently in crisis.
Just days ago, NBC illustrated what they view as the authentic voice of Americans. In one campaign, ABC promoted support for ‘The View’ against the FCC, while another headline remarked on Obama’s new Presidential Center in Chicago, noting how he once pledged to “fundamentally change” the country and critiqued the notion of “American exceptionalism.” The implication seems to be that everything valuable in democracy can be credited solely to the Democratic Party.
Trump’s rise to the presidency has sparked intense backlash. In 2017, during an episode of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Detroit Free Press writer Stephen Henderson went so far as to claim that some lyrics in the national anthem reflect a history of racism, suggesting that the song encapsulates the nation’s white supremacist past.
“MAGA hat on a stick! That’s probably the perfect summation of my hatred for the media,” remarked Corky Siemasko upon witnessing a local protest in Massachusetts.
This viewpoint is often echoed on ABC’s “The View.” Sunny Hostin recently stated her belief that the country was fundamentally founded on racism and slavery, expressing frustration at those who fail to grasp this reality. She labeled the nation as “sick” and full of racism.
In a more heated exchange on “The View,” co-host Alyssa Farrar Griffin pointed out Iran’s harsh treatment of LGBTQ individuals, which led to a pointed response from Whoopi Goldberg about America’s own history with racism.
Some argue that the mainstream media could focus on the positive strides the nation has made throughout its history, particularly regarding race relations. Yet, figures like Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis encounter backlash when they aim to educate young students about overcoming slavery and Jim Crow laws, facing accusations of erasing history or disrespecting it. Suggesting that today’s Republican Party mirrors Jim Crow era practices disregards historical facts.
Most Americans will likely celebrate this historic milestone for the country, and there’s no need for a facade, like that seen from ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS.
