Trump likely understands the turmoil likely to result from his decision--and Trump almost always benefits from turmoil. Perhaps this time he will as well.
Trump pounded another stake into the heart of today's so-called Mainstream Media.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the coming Republican debate will be financially devastating for Fox News. And, Trump's decision to withdraw will almost certainly harm Fox more than Trump.
But why did Trump take this path at this time?
Trump's campaign reports "his word is his bond." Thus, Trump saying he "definitely" will not attend the next debate means he will not attend. There are no peevish histrionics here. Of course, Trump knows the manipulative value of his decision not to attend. He will no doubt make use of this value.
Trump's decision not to attend the next debate is uncontaminated by any need to justify it on any other grounds. Fox News slandered Trump. Fox News is another party in negotiations regarding the debate series. Trump does not tolerate--has never tolerated--slanderous remarks from other parties in negotiations. Thus, he will not attend the debate hosted by Fox News. Trump's decision is entirely consistent with his wont to say, "Bye-bye" whenever the other party to a negotiation is slanderous.
It is not hard to understand why Trump took offense if one reads the Fox News Release printed today in the Washington Post. Yet, given Trump has been a huge magnet for insults and criticism, for decades, and especially since June, 2015, why in this case is he choosing to take offense so formidably?
Though Trump is often accused of possessing a mammoth ego, and it certainly seems he does, he has nevertheless shrugged off millions of unkind words spoken to him and about him in every possible venue. And, though he never fails to respond in kind, or "ten times" as much in kind, he has never left the game. Something is different about this case.
In fact, if Trump did not withdraw from the coming debate he would have lost something more important--his honor. Trump could not act otherwise because if he failed to withdraw he would have violated his 'word,' his 'bond.'
This is not to imply Trump fails to articulate his own criticisms, and insults, regarding his competitors and the Press. However, his vitriol has remained, consistently, limited to these groups, and only these groups, not to current other parties in negotiations.
So, Trump honored his word. Fox took a cheap shot--but far more. And, Fox News will suffer the consequences. Most crucially, Fox will be harmed financially. But the implications are profound. Consider, this is the first time in history a giant news organization--an organization!--will suffer palpable losses for needless slander against a candidate or campaign. Perhaps this phenomenon is a one-off, but perhaps it is a watershed moment in finally limiting the media's perfidy.
Of course, Trump likely understands the turmoil likely to result from his decision--and Trump almost always benefits from turmoil. Perhaps this time he will as well.
In any case, Trump maintained the integrity of his word. "Bye-bye."
Trump pounded another stake into the heart of today's so-called Mainstream Media.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the coming Republican debate will be financially devastating for Fox News. And, Trump's decision to withdraw will almost certainly harm Fox more than Trump.
But why did Trump take this path at this time?
