The muddling of reality is reaching new heights, thanks to Trump and his media allies. But here's where it gets controversial: it's not just about flattering edits or biased reporting. It's about the manipulation of truth and the blurring of lines between facts and opinions. Take, for instance, the recent CBS interview with Trump, where several key moments were either edited out or not fully aired on TV. Trump's comments about CBS's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, and his praise for the network's improvements after its acquisition by the Ellison family were notably absent from the broadcast. This isn't just about Trump's personal praise; it's about the broader trend of media outlets catering to his interests. The corporate donors rushing to support Trump's projects, including Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Comcast, are a clear indication of this trend. Even the Washington Post, once a bastion of independent journalism, has published editorials defending Trump's actions, such as his plans for the White House's east wing. But it's the AI-generated content that truly raises alarm bells. Elon Musk's Grokipedia, an AI-powered encyclopedia, is already facing criticism for its factual errors and reliance on unreliable sources. By making it difficult to distinguish opinions from facts, Musk's project opens the door to manipulation and the distortion of reality. And it's not just AI-generated content that's a problem. Fox News, owned by the Murdoch family, recently reported on AI-generated videos of Black food stamp recipients threatening to ransack stores during a government shutdown. The network initially presented these videos as real, only to later correct its story. But by then, the lie had already spread. This trend of manipulating reality is a dangerous path, and it's crucial to recognize and address it. As we navigate an increasingly complex media landscape, we must remain vigilant and critical, ensuring that truth and accuracy prevail.
