The corporate press has long prided itself as the gatekeeper of democratic norms. But in the last few years, their “sacred airwaves” have curdled into guardianship of a failing elitist establishment. Jake Tapper’s latest book “Original Sin” and an unconvincing media pivot toward acknowledging Biden’s cognitive decline leave Americans scoffing.

Voters see the media for its efforts to save face after the unequivocal tarnishing of a president they once protected. Legacy outlets are now attempting to rewrite the narrative, deflecting from their continued chronic bias in every story to isolating a “tragedy” after being caught out regarding Joe Biden.

The Narrative Shield

From 2021 through much of 2024, media institutions actively framed Biden as “sharp,” “seasoned,” and “empathetic.” These descriptors were used to dismiss real concerns about his declining mental acuity. White House staff stumbling to cover for public gaffes, verbal confusion, or disappearing from major events were treated as “bad optics” rather than serious red flags.

Critics who raised alarms early on were labeled conspiracy theorists or right-wing agitators. At no point did major outlets investigate claims about physical deterioration, wheelchair use, or near-constant teleprompter dependence. Americans are adamant that the press functioned as crisis managers, not reporters.

Admissions by the media only began after the 2024 election cycle ended—and even then, the recalibration has been more about preserving institutional reputations than informing the public.

Jake Tapper’s Book

Jake Tapper’s book “Original Sin” has become a lightning rod, not for what it reveals, but for what it confirms. The book details Biden’s performance in private settings, internal White House dysfunction, and staffers' quiet panic over his ability to finish his term. These admissions came long after conservative outlets and social media users documented similar evidence.

The public reaction has been scathing. Comments across platforms suggest 75-80% of voters believe media figures like Tapper knew all along and chose silence for political reasons. Only about 20-25% argue the press was deceived alongside the public.

In this environment, Americans view Tapper’s book as opportunistic narrative control. They say it’s damage control in hardback.

Public Sentiment and Media Collapse

The legacy press is moving from distrust among voters to mockery. The backlash against outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times stems from the belief they deliberately protected Biden to block Trump and steer public opinion. That belief is now widespread, including among Independents and some Democrats.

Social media posts in the past 72 hours show a common refrain: “They’re only telling the truth now because it’s safe.” This collapse of trust was already underway, but the Biden coverup accelerates it. His obvious decline, paired with the media’s refusal to cover it in real time, turns healthy skepticism into outright contempt.

Voters now see no meaningful distinction between Democratic messaging and media reporting.

Rewriting History, Redirecting Blame

The timing of these revelations is also a cause for incredulity. With Biden retired and unelectable, voters say the media is attempting to preempt accountability. By focusing on Biden’s health now, they hope to deflect attention from other previous and currently ongoing anti-Trump narratives.

Americans are discussions suspicions that the media actively shields other Democrats—especially potential 2028 candidates—from inherited blame or scrutiny. People also see Biden’s decline as symbolic of institutional rot. They say his administration, which was propped up by unseen decision-makers, along with the media’s complicity, suggests institutions cannot self-correct.

Alternative Media and the Realignment

Obliterated trust in legacy media outlets has created fertile ground for alternative platforms—Substack writers, independent podcasts, and decentralized media hubs. The audience for these outlets is growing both out of ideological alignment and necessity. Americans want information, not curated narratives.

In 2025, legacy media still clings to the idea that trust is a branding problem. However, Americans are making it clear this is a performance problem. When people feel lied to, they don’t ask for better PR—they leave.

Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a sweeping executive order on prescription drug pricing ignites a fierce and fractured debate on the right. This exacerbates ongoing discussions about whether Casey Means is a good pick for Surgeon General.

While the MAHA movement (Make America Healthy Again) has strong grassroots momentum, it also creates internal tensions between populist reformers and institutional conservatives. Public discussion around these recent events is intense, polarized, and illustrative of how the new right is approaching certain issues like healthcare in ways that used to be reserved for populist Democrats.

BREAKING: President Donald Trump announces he will sign an Executive Order that will reduce Prescription Drug and Pharmaceutical prices. pic.twitter.com/gc83P0K9x1

— America (@america) May 11, 2025

What Americans are Saying

MIG Reports data shows sharp ideological divisions:

• Pro-MAHA voices say Trump’s moves are bold strikes against corrupt institutions, especially Big Pharma and the regulatory class.
• Critics, including many on the right, warn of medical populism, unvetted leadership, and performative politics.
• Discontent is growing among MAGA loyalists who are uneasy with MAHA’s rapid ascent and its perceived deviation from Trump’s original mandate.

MAHA Movement Discourse

MAHA is becoming a proxy for growing tensions among conservatives who find themselves under MAGA’s new, larger tent. Many say MAGA, known for challenging entrenched bureaucracies, should not let economic nationalism be replaced with medical populism.

Online discussions often use campaign-style slogans and frame Trump's drug price initiative as an anti-establishment health realignment. Still, a vocal contingent questions its coherence.

Critics say MAHA lacks operational maturity and relies too heavily on personality politics. Key factions are openly divided, with loyalists viewing MAHA as a necessary evolution and critics dismissing it as unserious or conspiratorial.

Trump’s Executive Order on Drug Pricing

Trump’s recent EO pegs U.S. pharmaceutical prices to those paid by foreign governments. Supporters say this is a long-overdue correction—including some on the left who have supported Democrats like Bernie Sanders. Many praise Trump for going after pharma profits directly, bypassing congressional inaction.

MAHA voices say the executive order is evidence that Trump is finally wielding federal power to protect working-class Americans from exploitative pricing schemes. Critics, however, see the order as symbolic and risky.

Some raise concerns about stifling R&D. Others point out the contradiction that costs may decrease in one area (pharmaceuticals) while rising elsewhere due to Trump’s high tariffs. Others say recent price claims are incoherent, citing one example of supposed 89% savings from tariffs, which actually resulted in a 30% cost increase.

RFK Jr. just exposed why everyone in DC is panicking about President Trump's executive order lowering drug prices.

"There's at least one pharmaceutical lobbyist for every congressman, every senator on Capitol Hill, and every member of the Supreme Court... The industry itself… pic.twitter.com/lywGOCSZ1z

— George (@BehizyTweets) May 12, 2025

The Casey Means Nomination

Nominating Casey Means as Surgeon General amplifies divisions. Supporters say she represents a necessary outsider perspective willing to take on entrenched interests. They say ties to RFK Jr. and the broader MAHA movement show ideological coherence and reformist intent.

Yet many conservatives are deeply skeptical. Questions over her qualifications, ties to alternative health circles, and lack of mainstream medical credentials dominate much of the backlash. Critics say her nomination risks politicizing public health further and undermining the credibility of Trump’s administration at a critical juncture.

These concerns extend to institutional sabotage. One major flashpoint is the disappearance of the CDC’s Vaccine Safety Datalink, which many claim sabotages MAHA-aligned studies. Posts demand criminal accountability for former CDC leaders, accusing them of obstructing reform through data suppression.

Cultural and Political Underpinnings

MAHA’s rise reflects a shift in conservative identity. The policy disputes are laced with cultural symbolism, including memes, ridicule, and factional trolling. MAHA supporters accuse establishment conservatives of protecting pharma interests. Detractors dismiss MAHA activists as unserious or delusional.

Posts reveal a shared frustration with elite governance but no shared plan for replacing it. The conflict is growing into a power struggle between MAGA traditionalists and MAHA newcomers, with Trump caught in the middle—seeking to reassert control while keeping both factions engaged.

Real ID was designed as a security measure in the aftermath of 9/11, intended to create uniform identification standards nationwide. Yet decades later, it’s only now being implemented. In the eyes of voters, Real ID has become emblematic of federal overreach, state complicity, and the erosion of civil liberties.

The public response to Real ID enforcement is polarized. Many conservatives view it as an infringement on personal freedoms and an example of federal overreach, questioning the necessity of such stringent identification measures. Liberals and civil liberties advocates are concerned about potential discrimination and the erosion of privacy rights.

The association of Real ID with deportation policies further fuels apprehension. Critics argue the enhanced identification requirements could facilitate expedited removal processes, potentially affecting illegal immigrants but also legal residents and citizens lacking proper documentation.

Starting on Wednesday, Americans will need a Real ID to fly.

According to Democrats:

ID to board a plane = 100% acceptable.
ID to vote in elections = 100% racist. pic.twitter.com/9A2wVw1MBx

— Christian Collins (@CollinsforTX) May 5, 2025

Public Sentiment Overview

MIG Reports analysis of online discourse shows sentiment toward the Real ID rollout:

• 0% support
• 50% opposition: direct criticism, especially from conservatives
• 50% neutral: informational, procedural updates

In all discussions there is an absence of support for or defense of Real ID. Americans either discuss it passively, without strong sentiment, or frame it as another brick in the wall of a growing surveillance state.

Conservative Frustration

On the right, voters frequently reject the concept of Real ID. Once justified as a post-9/11 necessity, conservatives view it as incompatible with the constitutional freedoms. Many feel certain liberties and freedoms are under assault with the implementation of Real ID. Some call it an "affront to our individual sovereignty," especially as illegal immigrants are "jetted across the nation" without such ID requirements. This pairing of Real ID with broader border frustrations is a recurring theme.

Many view its enforcement by Trump’s DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as contradictory to her public image as someone fighting against federal overreach. This dissonance explains why her support of the policy has made her a lightning rod for criticism among the MAGA base. To many, Real ID is a federal control mechanism disguised as security reform. This causes objections when figures who are supposed to resist federal encroachments push policies like this.

Liberal Humanitarianism

While liberals engage less frequently with Real ID directly, their criticism is no less sharp. They frame it as part of a broader authoritarian trend under the Trump administration and DHS.

One common critique is that Real ID, along with deportation incentives and mass surveillance, disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and sidesteps due process. Though not emotionally central to liberal discourse, sentiment suggests they see Real ID one more tool to exclude, surveil, or intimidate minorities.

The Kristi Noem Factor

Kristi Noem’s role in promoting Real ID also impacts sentiment. Her concurrent media appearances touting deportation incentives and border crackdowns have made her the face of DHS policy, and by extension, the face of Real ID. That makes the backlash more personal and politically explosive.

• Noem’s ads and public statements—such as offering $1,000 and a free plane ticket to illegal immigrants who self-deport—draw mockery.
• Her presence in Real ID discussions intersects with discussions of performative governance and contradictory messaging around sovereignty.

The Administrative State as Political Enemy

Criticisms are less about logistics, though that's part of the discussion, and more about what the mandate represents. Concerns about surveillance, facial recognition databases, and centralization of power plague both sides, deepening distrust of the state.

Conservatives strongly opposed enforcing Real ID compliance or limiting air travel without it. Liberals view this issue as an example of power being used to marginalize the vulnerable, but discussion is equally critical.

Neither side trusts the government to handle Real ID fairly or competently. And with Kristi Noem as its public face, the backlash extends beyond policy into personal vilification.

Data Snapshot

Real ID-specific post sentiment breakdown:

• 0% Support
• 50% Opposition
• 50% Neutral/informational

Real ID withing broader conversation:

• 5% of total discussions touch on Real ID, along with Noem and DHS, often linked to travel restrictions or constitutional concerns.

Deportation-related posts by comparison:

• 65% supportive
• 25% opposed (mostly citing due process and human dignity concerns)
• 10% sarcastic, mixed, or performative in tone

The Real ID–Deportation Nexus

Public sentiment around deportation policy casts a revealing light on how Real ID is perceived. Though a majority support more aggressive deportation measures, Real ID has become a flashpoint in the fight over who the government targets and how.

Among some mass deportation supporters, Real ID may be implicitly embraced as a mechanism that enables law enforcement to identify and remove illegals. The underlying assumption is that Real ID will help authorities distinguish legal residents from those who “don’t belong here.”

However, many question whether this claim by Real ID representatives like Noem is unrealistic or even disingenuous. Many who support deportation also question whether a policy like Real ID is necessary to achieve successful and efficient deportations.

Other critics voice concern about due process violations. They don’t see Real ID as a neutral sorting tool, but a dangerous accelerant. These voices argue that requiring federally approved identification for basic mobility or access to services risks creating a two-tier society where immigrants, naturalized citizens, and even marginalized U.S. citizens are more easily surveilled, detained, or wrongly deported.

This concern is especially amplified by liberals who allege that U.S. citizens are already being swept up in expedited deportation processes. The prospect that Real ID could serve as a precondition for constitutional protections raises alarms among civil liberties advocates, who warn of an emerging administrative regime where identity is used as both barrier and justification.

Recently, woman identified as Shiloh Hendrix went viral online for using a racial slur against an allegedly autistic black child in a public park. Within days, she received hundreds of thousands of dollars in sympathetic crowdfunding via a GiveSendGo campaign.

The viral and controversial interaction quickly blew up into a political and racial proxy war. Progressives decry the incident as proof of lingering racism, and conservatives are split between defending Hendrix’s speech rights and condemning her behavior.

Shiloh Hendrix, a young white mother, insults a black child in an argument at the playground. Left-wing TikTok activists film her, post the video online - and start a digital hate hunt.
What follows is another chapter in the ethnic conflict in the USA. But this time everything… pic.twitter.com/acdvajtLgS

— Martin Sellner (@Martin_Sellner) May 2, 2025

Hendrix’s name has since become emblematic of cultural backlash. She is framed by supporters as a victim of cancel culture and woke targeting, while critics cast her as a symbol of emboldened bigotry in the age of digital incentivization. The fundraising success in her name turned what could have been a fleeting controversy into a referendum on race, speech, and the political realignment of victimhood.

This incident occurred shortly after another racial firestorm initiated by the murder of Austin Metcalf, a white teenager killed at a Texas track meet. Metcalf’s death received minimal mainstream media attention, prompting conservatives to call out racial double standards. This effect is compounded by reactions from the left and the right to Metcalf’s murderer’s crowdfunding efforts, now juxtaposed with Shiloh Hendrix’s.

Division and Vitriol

Online reaction to Hendrix’s actions, both in using the slur and creating a GiveSendGo, sharply divides public opinion.

Around 40-45% of right-leaning discussions express frustration that Hendrix became a folk hero for the wrong reasons—arguing that monetizing crass or criminal behavior damages conservatives and distracts from legitimate concerns.

However, around 30% strongly defend her on free speech grounds, claiming she had been targeted by an ideological lynch mob. This group also points out the hypocrisy of liberal reactions to Austin Metcalf, Hendrix, and anti-white racism.

What you're witnessing isn't a fundraiser.

You're witnessing White Guilt begin to die. pic.twitter.com/RlegOAk3xQ

— Daniel Concannon (@TooWhiteToTweet) May 1, 2025

The remaining third of right leaning voices are ambivalent, choosing to redirect the conversation toward issues like crime, voter suppression, and economic priorities.

Among liberal users, sentiment skewed sharply negative. More than 70% condemn Hendrix’s language and the crowdfunding campaign as an endorsement of racism. Many point to systemic bias and accuse conservatives of promoting a culture of grievance under the guise of “anti-wokeness.”

Double Standards and Selective Outrage

The muted response to the death of Austin Metcalf intensifies right-wing anger. Many see the lack of national media coverage or official statements as confirmation that outrage in America is racially curated.

While some reports claim the motive behind Metcalf’s death remains under investigation, critics online cite the case as a glaring example of institutional and media neglect when the racial dynamics don’t fit the approved narrative.

This perceived double standard has given rise to a new refrain among conservatives that if racial justice is real, then it must apply evenly. Failing to recognize tragedies like Metcalf’s while obsessively covering cases like Hendrix’s signals to many Americans that the system is fundamentally tilted.

So let me get this straight. This lady, Shiloh Hendrix, witnesses this unaccompanied and unsupervised autistic 5 year old kid taking things from her diaper bag. She calls the kid out for it and a child predator from Somalia just so happened to be hanging out at the park, where… pic.twitter.com/cDoBRXU2VE

— Stephen Odell (@StM_1979) May 1, 2025

Cultural Weaponization and Symbolic Crowdfunding

The GiveSendGo campaign for Shiloh Hendrix has become a case study in digital tribalism. Both sides of the aisle now financially reward figures caught in culture war flashpoints. Supporters frame this as fighting back against elite narratives and critics see it as incentivizing extremism and monetizing bad actions. In conservative circles, Hendrix is now shorthand for the backlash against cancel culture, media, and speech policing.

Even among committed conservatives, Hendrix’s case sparks unease. Some Republicans caution that defending incendiary rhetoric—especially when aimed at children—erodes credibility with important voter groups who may support border security and free-market economics but recoil from perceived cruelty.

Race, Policy, and Identity

Race remains at the center of political discourse, but the vocabulary has shifted.

Progressives focus on systemic inequity and the enduring legacies of oppression. Conservatives increasingly speak of reverse discrimination, media bias, and what they see as the weaponization of race for political control.

Affirmative action, DEI mandates, and woke corporate governance continue to serve as stand-ins for wider frustrations. To many voters, these policies feel like instruments of division. And yet, on the right, there’s a debate over whether opposing these programs means tolerating bigotry.

Hendrix’s defenders often place her in this exact frame—arguing that outrage against her is less about morality and more about liberal control over acceptable language and social norms. In this way, she functions less as an individual than as a placeholder for the broader reactionary impulse on the right.

President Trump’s tariff-driven economic strategy is becoming more polarizing as time goes on. Voters online discuss whether national strength should come at the cost of consumer stability. Designed to rebalance trade and reindustrialize the U.S. economy, the aggressive imposition of duties—particularly on China—causes debate between long-term nationalist vision and short-term economic pain.

A Fractured Voter Consensus

The prevailing sentiment is turning to pessimism. Roughly 65% of public commentary across partisan lines expresses concern or opposition to the tariff regime. This has dropped since MIG Reports previous analysis showing 44% negativity in online discussions.

Critics cite inflation, job losses, GDP contraction, and a lack of transparency as counts against Trump’s tariff policy. Around 25% of posts offer strong or conditional support, praising tariffs as a form of economic retribution against exploitative trade practices. A remaining 10% hold mixed views, acknowledging that while globalism has failed American workers, the current strategy may prove unsustainable if not recalibrated.

Among conservatives, even traditionally supportive voters are showing signs of anxiety. Many MAGA-aligned voices still defend the tariffs as a strategic sacrifice. Others—particularly independents and establishment Republicans—are raising questions about effectiveness, implementation, and optics.

Economic Sovereignty and Strategic Pressure

Supporters frame tariffs as a corrective to decades of asymmetric trade, saying:

• Trump’s “America First” platform is a long-overdue response to foreign protectionism.
• Imposing a 145% duty on Chinese imports is a powerful tool to pressure Beijing on IP theft and labor standards.
• Tariffs can eventually replace income tax burdens for middle-income Americans.
• There's an opportunity for supply chains to be repatriated, labor protected, and globalist dependencies severed.

In this view, short-term cost is justified by long-term reindustrialization and national sovereignty. The emotional tone often draws on themes of betrayal—America “ripped off” by cheap foreign goods—and defiance: “We don’t need cheap goods from China.”

Hidden Taxes and Economic Instability

Opposition is both economic and philosophical with top discussions including:

• Tariffs as a “hidden tax” on American consumers, raising prices on food, electronics, auto parts, and clothing.
• Reports of 20,000 layoffs at UPS, surging import volumes from stockpiling, and port disruptions disrupting the economy.
• Questioning the erratic nature of tariff rollouts, calling the policy “chaotic,” “suicidal,” and “uninformed.”
• Beliefs that this trade strategy is executive overreach, citing unilateral decisions with no congressional debate.

Detractors accuse Trump of blaming Biden, the media, or foreign governments while ignoring the domestic consequences of his own actions. People say things like, “Nobody else is responsible for Americans suffering under his stupid tariffs. Not Biden. Not China. Not DEI. It’s Trump’s fault, period.”

Transparency Wars and Showing Receipts

A major flashpoint in the public conversation is a perception that the administration is not being fully transparent:

• Some criticize Trump for discouraging companies like Amazon from itemizing tariff charges on receipts, calling it an intentional cover-up.
• Others say a lack of visibility makes it impossible for consumers to grasp the true economic cost, likening tariffs to an “invisible surcharge.”
• There are conversations about a gag order on corporate communication as a betrayal of the free-market ethos, causing concern even among some on the right.

This battle over disclosure has become symbolic. Calls for tariff cost itemization parallel broader demands for honest governance, data transparency, and fiscal accountability.

Media and Expert Commentary Doesn’t Help

Commentary on media coverage about tariffs and the economy reiterates distrust:

• Pro-Trump voices see mainstream economic analysis as rigged, accusing outlets of fearmongering to discredit nationalist policy.
• They dismiss economists’ warnings, such as a 70% chance of recession or falling consumer sentiment, as partisan spin.
• On the other hand, Trump critics use those same indicators—GDP shrinkage, layoffs, market contraction—to argue he is economically illiterate.

The drop in sentiment about the economy along with rising distrust of media suggests many average Americans are not fully convinced about the economy. A complex topic, which many voters do not have expertise in, partially feel uncertain because they don’t know who to believe. Supporters want to trust Trump’s strategy but fear there could be unforeseen consequences. Critics want to trust critical media but may ignore biased rhetoric.

International Backlash and Isolation Anxiety

Beyond domestic concerns, many express alarm at the global consequences:

• Trump’s tariffs are said to be alienating traditional allies like Canada and the EU, exposing the U.S. to retaliation and diplomatic drift.

• Some warn this economic brinkmanship is turning the U.S. into a lone aggressor lobbing tax bombs at friends and foes alike.

• There’s concern that America's global leadership is eroding, with adversaries like China using retaliatory measures to curry favor with other developing nations.

Though Trump’s base defends this posture as strongman negotiation, critics see it as shortsighted and destabilizing.

Mood: Bitter, Distrustful, and Strained

The prevailing mood across discussions is one of volatility, pessimism, and deep distrust. People are exhausted with promises that don’t translate into tangible relief. Many now view tariffs as a political performance that hurts more than it helps.

While support for Trump’s broader ideological goals remains strong within the base, concerns are seeping into conversation. The rhetoric of economic war is being tested against the reality of strained household budgets and employment anxiety.

The tide of opinion has been surging against the legacy media for some time. Now, self-serious media outlets congratulating themselves on their coverage of Joe Biden’s mental decline is drawing ridicule.

Americans say the mainstream media whitewashed and covered up President Biden’s cognitive decline but are now claiming credit for exposing it. Voters say events like the White House Correspondents Dinner show the press for what they are—courtiers protecting the palace.

The Dinner Party Problem

A subset of discussion about legacy media in general directly references the White House Correspondents Dinner. These comments present the dinner as an increasingly out of touch and self-congratulatory ritual.

Posts describe the dinner as “stagecraft,” “a media circus,” and “optics for the elite.” For many voters, it reinforces their belief that the press is too invested in political relationships to function as an adversarial force.

Americans view the media’s actions as evidence that media figures view themselves as elites, among the same class they are tasked with scrutinizing. The image of reporters in tuxedos joking with presidents and politicians while ignoring voter concerns plays poorly outside the Beltway. Among those under 35, the event is dismissed as a “ceremony for people who don’t have to worry about gas prices.”

The sentiment is widespread among voter groups. In all conversations across multiple topics, approximately 60% express overt disdain for legacy media institutions. Only 15% discuss them neutrally or positively.

The Silent Collapse of a President

The coverage—or more accurately, the glaring non-coverage—of President Biden’s mental decline in the waning years of his presidency is a flagship grievance for many people who are critical of a politically captures media. Posts mocking his cognitive performance often come with a caveat: the media enabled the problem by refusing to acknowledge it.

The contrast is frequently drawn with Trump. Commenters note that Trump’s every misspoken word are front-page news, while Biden’s slurred sentences, visible confusion, and dazed appearances were waved away as “normal aging.” When Biden stumbled through a speech or forgot where he was, outlets used euphemisms like elder statesman,” “slower delivery,” “candid moments.”

That reluctance to apply equal scrutiny to partisan powers has damaged institutional credibility. A prominent refrain across discussions is: “If Trump had done this, it would be nonstop coverage.” Voters believe the media shields Democrats out of political loyalty, not journalistic rigor.

MIG Reports data shows:

• 60% of discussion is negative about how the media covers Democrats, particularly mentioning Biden’s cognitive decline.
• 25% are frustrated at selective framing, especially independents and younger demographics who resent legacy power.
• 15% defend Biden, relying on either moral relativism—“Trump is worse” —or casual dismissal of the media’s failure to cover his decline.

Generational and Partisan Drift

The divide in media trust is widening in both ideological and age groups. Americans under 35 are moving decisively away from legacy outlets. They say they consume content through decentralized platforms like Truth Social, Bluesky, YouTube, and X. Their tone is cynical but informed. They don’t just reject legacy narratives—they deconstruct them in real time.

Older conservatives remain critical of the media but are more likely to recall a time when institutions operated under some assumption of balance. That nostalgia has been replaced by the grim realization that the press now performs its credibility, rather than earns it.

This generational shift is cultural and logistical. Young voters don’t wait for evening segments or Sunday roundtables. They dissect gaffes in chats and post replies, repost contradictory headlines on TikTok, and spread independent analyses with more reach than a primetime CNN spot.

Narrative Management as Policy

Critics no longer view media behavior as lazy or unprofessional. They view it as calculated. Events like the Correspondents Dinner, therefore, is confirmation that the press sees itself as part of the ruling class. Americans say Biden’s gaffes were not ignored accidentally—they were actively managed.

Overall, voters believe that media institutions are actually succeeding at their real goal, which is to serve as narrative enforcers for the political elite.

Even among moderate Democrats and left-leaning voters, fatigue is growing. Defending the media is no longer an act of civic pride, but one of desperation, more performative than backed by conviction.

Donald Trump’s aggressive border enforcement policies still divide American politics, but the things that make it divisive are also what help him retain support. Legacy media plays up emotionally charged stories, but public sentiment is largely supportive.

MIG Reports data shows 62% of online discussion supports Trump’s deportation policies, and 38% oppose them. Despite legal battles, media hysteria, and vitriol from Democrats, Americans remain adamant about closing the border.

Sentiment Overview

Among those expressing support, Trump’s policies fulfill long-standing voter mandates. Many view deporting illegal aliens as an existential necessity, not a political controversy. They reject the idea that noncitizens who enter illegally are entitled to expansive due process protections. They demand national sovereignty and the rule of law.

Critics focus on constitutional boundaries. They argue removing “undocumented immigrants,” and their U.S. citizen children, or those with medical needs, risks violating foundational legal norms. Their arguments revolve around due process, family separation, and institutional overreach.

The discourse seeps into a broader cultural battle over the meaning of American citizenship, the reach of executive power, and the nature of constitutional protections.

Top Events Driving Discussion

The Deportation of a Two-Year-Old U.S. Citizen

A widely circulated story involving children born in the U.S. being deported with their illegal mothers has become a lightning rod. Critics cite this as evidence of authoritarianism and barbarism by the Trump administration. Supporters frame it as a mischaracterized instance of voluntary family unity. A Trump-appointed judge’s concern over the lack of “meaningful process” adds legal weight to the public debate.

The headline about three U.S. citizens ages 7, 4, and 2 being deported was very misleading.

It was their mothers, who were in this country illegally, who were deported. The decision on whether or not their children go with them is the choice of the parents. pic.twitter.com/iHIhcLO4sX

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 28, 2025

The Abrego Garcia Case

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom the media refers to as a “Maryland man,” has been weaponized symbolically by both camps. Trump supporters his removal as a known MS-13 member as completely justified. Critics say his case reveals systemic overreach. They demand a hearing and “due process,” questioning the legality of expedited deportations.

We have to stop LYING to the American public.

No matter how many times the lie is repeated, Albrego Garcia is not a “Maryland man.” He’s not a “mind-mannered father.”

He’s an illegal immigrant from El Salvador with a history of violence & evidence of gang activity. pic.twitter.com/mhTYwas1he

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) April 26, 2025

Arrest and Criticism of Judges

Judge Hannah Dugan’s alleged obstruction of ICE is drawing considerable media attention. Supporters say her arrest is proof that “no one is above the law,” criticizing Democrats who have used this line referring to Trump but are angered about Judge Dugan’s arrest. Her case highlights the political tension between federal enforcement and local judicial resistance—a fault line that has become central to conservative messaging.

DEAR DEMOCRATS, who are furious with the FBI arresting 2 judges in the past 24H.

Why don't you listen to your media?

"No person is above the law."

"No man is above the law."

"No one is above the law."

"Nobody is above the law."pic.twitter.com/3J499aLbWf

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 25, 2025

Mugshots on the White House Lawn

Visuals of deported individuals displayed on the North Lawn of the White House are used as a potent symbol on both sides. Supporters say this is an assertive way to project strength and show the seriousness of Trump’s border policies. Critics call it political theater and outrageous propaganda. Either way, the imagery has amplified the narrative of decisive action.

Good Morning from The White House! pic.twitter.com/1fhjzMU2gR

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 28, 2025

Voter Group Reactions

Among conservatives, there is near-universal support for mass deportation as a constitutional necessity. They say Trump’s actions are a course correction from years of open borders under Biden. Many call for criminal penalties against judges and officials who resist federal immigration enforcement.

Progressives and left-leaning voters vehemently oppose the drastic and bombastic way in which Trump 2.0 is handling the border crisis. They argue Trump’s policies undermine American values and legal precedent. Their concern lies both with the act of deportation and its implementation, particularly focusing on sympathetic stories to move emotions.

Independents are split. Some support Trump’s enforcement as a means of restoring order. Others express concern about the tone, rhetoric, and legality of certain removals. This group favors reform but is wary of ideological excess.

Historical and Legal Framing

Supporters consistently point to past precedent—FDR, Eisenhower, Clinton, Obama—as justification for mass removals. The argument is that Trump is not breaking new ground but enforcing laws his predecessors used to uphold. Opponents say Trump’s actions, unlike those of past presidents, are publicly amplified, legally aggressive, and morally indiscriminate.

Several critics invoke comparisons to past abuses—from the Alien Enemies Act to wartime expulsions—suggesting the slippery slope argument is playing out in real-time. Trump supporters reject these claims as bad-faith comparisons designed to shift focus from illegal entry to legal fearmongering.

Media and Institutional Trust

One of the clearest throughlines in the data is distrust of mainstream media. Across aggregated data sets, 60-65% of commenters express skepticism or outright hostility toward news coverage of deportations. Many claim negative media narratives are politically motivated, selectively edited, and historically dishonest. Only 15-20% defend the media’s watchdog role or provide neutral commentary.

Many also now view the judiciary as failing in its job as an impartial referee, now acting as a political player. Trump’s base views judges who block deportations as partisan activists undermining the rule of law. The left, in contrast, sees these judges as the last bulwark against authoritarian executive overreach.

High expectations ushered President Trump into his second term as supporters claimed a mandate handed down by the people in November. In his first month, Trump enjoyed soaring enthusiasm in the base and escalating concern from his opposition.

Now, hardening polarization on both sides seems to lock sentiment in a narrow channel, preventing President Trump’s support from dipping too low—but also guaranteeing criticism remains vehement.

Voter Views of Trump 2.0

The national mood around President Trump's second term is emotional and tribal. His base—around 30-35% of discussions—remains intensely loyal. They interpret ongoing criticism and decreasing sentiment as confirmation that Trump remains a threat to the establishment. Democrats and “Never Trumpers” have hardened into firm opposition, framing Trump as an existential threat to democratic norms.

A segment of independents and moderates, many of whom have been willing to give Trump chance, may drifting away. Their concerns center on:

• Foreign policy missteps regarding Ukraine, Russia, and China
• Fear of rising prices from tariff policies
• Perceived constitutional overreach

Border security discussion continues to show strong positivity (55-60%), but trade and foreign policy discussions waver around 35-40% positivity.

Trump’s overall sentiment dropped slightly at the beginning of March as wall-to-wall media coverage of tariffs and Russia questioned the administration’s tactics. However, daily online engagement regarding Trump remains high, ranging between 15,000–25,000 posts per day, and sentiment remains steady.

• In the last 30 days, discussions have focused on trade, China, Russia, and the border.
• Over the last 24 hours, President trump has gained support on trade, China, and military topics.

Trump as an Anti-Establishment Figurehead

Large rural counties continue to anchor Trump’s political base. These voters see President Trump as a political leader who is acting as the last real bulwark against cultural, economic, and political collapse driven by urban elites. Their loyalty is intensely personal, and policy outcomes matter less than the fight itself.

This dynamic reinforces cultural and political realignments away from traditional transactional politics toward ideological adherence. Trump's battles against legacy media, bureaucrats, and globalists are the core proof points of authenticity in the eyes of his base. Supporters view every indictment, headline, or poll showing declining national support as a badge of honor.

Media and Moderate Sentiment Erosion

Foreign policy optics around Ukraine and Russia have become an axis of disenchantment. Trump's behavior at the Pope’s Vatican funeral and his unclear stance on Ukraine reinforce critical perceptions that he is unserious, self-interested, and diplomatically dangerous.

Economic pain is another reason for cooling enthusiasm among moderates and swing voters. Tariff-driven price increases on food, housing, and imported goods cause concern for all who are uncertain of Trump's economic strategy and its consequences. However, economic sentiment remains relatively strong compared to Russia-Ukraine sentiment.

Constitutional concerns among critics also surge. Aggressive executive orders, deportations billed as “without due process,” and talk of arresting judges and politicians like Adam Schiff turn some swing voters from skepticism to active opposition. Broken grand promises, like ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours, now serve as symbolic proof that the administration's rhetoric has outpaced its competence.

The Role of Media in Shaping Polarization

Media narratives accelerate negativity, showcasing concerns and fears for daily news consumers and penetrating less political voters over time. Within Trump’s base, negative media coverage is a validation that he is fighting hostile interests. For many independents and critics, sustained negative media coverage intensifies distrust.

This dynamic is captured in the media trust levels among key voter groups:

Trump loyalists treat negative press as a feature, not a bug. Critics and independents, however, increasingly trust the media narrative that Trump's leadership threatens constitutional norms and American credibility abroad.

Opportunities for Shoring Up the Middle

With rapid and major changes sweeping across the first 100 days of Trump 2.0, it’s still possible to stabilize support outside of Trump’s core base. An imminent resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict and staying away from perceptions of capitulation to Russia could help quell fears.

Delivering visible economic relief—particularly through stable consumer prices and middle-class tax relief—would also restore credibility among swing voters. Public reaffirmation of constitutional norms, even symbolic, could blunt accusations of authoritarianism.

Bringing forward newer, disciplined administrative figures could help project stability without requiring Trump to alter his personal style. However, the cultural emotional drift away from Trump among independents may also be tied to political disengagement.

Strategic Outlook

Maximizing loyalty among rural and populist voters while urgently stemming defections among suburban and independent moderates will continue to normalize the new political paradigm. Despite continuous negative coverage, strong support from the American people on critical issues like the border and the cultural war forces the media and democrats to moderate.

Rather than changing policy positions or rhetorically pursuing outlier support, positive results will continue to move the needle for Trump 2.0. The media environment, shaped by identity-driven narratives, will continue to magnify both Trump's successes and failures. Relying on media mistrust alone is insufficient to build credibility outside of the MAGA base.

Following the Democratic Party’s major defeat in 2024, the left finds itself scrambling for a winning strategy as their bench wears thin and Americans turn on “woke” ideology. With trust in institutional leadership at historic lows and the party fractured between its moderate and progressive factions, the question of "what’s next" has become existential.

In recent weeks, buzz has grown around a potential Bernie Sanders–Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) 2028 ticket. While the two are drawing large crowds at rallies, their partnership is billed as a defiant challenge to the party’s failed status quo.

Progressive Democrats want ideological and policy escalation. Sanders and AOC are staging a rhetorical return to anti-oligarchy populism, reviving the grassroots messaging which brought Bernie popularity in 2016. But public sentiment suggests the base is far more conflicted than the performative confidence of these rallies implies.

A Coalition of Contradictions

Sanders and AOC bring name recognition, fervent followings, and ideological force. They also embody severe contradictions regarding personal wealth, elitism, and a pattern of policy hypocrisy that undercuts their working-class message. Voters have noticed.

• 55% of Democratic voters express support for AOC, citing her media fluency and youth appeal.
• Support drops to 30% when the conversation shifts to her viability on a national ticket, especially with Sanders as her partner.

The Sanders-AOC brand is strongest among urban, younger progressives. These voters are less concerned with personal contradictions and more invested in the symbolism of generational power transfer. They argue that inconsistencies—like traveling in a private jet to Coachella while advocating for climate austerity—are the price of modern political warfare, not disqualifiers.

Progressive Theatre vs. Electoral Reality

Among Democratic voters overall, 35-45% express sustained criticism or outright rejection of a Bernie-AOC partnership. They view both Sanders and AOC as emblematic of a populist elite—figures who campaign against power while privately enjoying its perks. Sanders, a millionaire with multiple homes, and AOC, whose Earth Day jet ride sparked widespread derision, struggle to retain credibility outside their core supporters.

Social media sentiment reflects this erosion. Accusations of hypocrisy, elitism, and political performance consistently top the discourse. “Champagne socialist” and “oligarch in disguise” are frequent characterizations. Among working-class Democrats, especially union voters, skepticism centers on results, asking what the pair have delivered.

Even the excitement around rallies is checked by realism in the party. Many online describe the rallies as energizing or transformative. But an equal number call them theatrical, elitist, or performative, citing luxury travel as undermining the working-class message. The remaining few are cautiously optimistic but wary, unconvinced that turnout equals traction in a general election.

Demands for Accountability

The AOC-Sanders ticket is also tethered to unresolved questions about corruption, misuse of funds, and ethical inconsistencies. A recurring thread in Democratic conversations is the sense that progressive leaders talk about dismantling oligarchy while quietly participating in the spoils of institutional privilege.

Commenters across the ideological spectrum—especially those from lower-income backgrounds—express feelings of betrayal. For many, Bernie and AOC are only repackaging tired political ideas in revolutionary branding. Accusations against both are cultural shorthand for the Democratic Party’s broader legitimacy crisis.

The Leadership Gap Widens

Three years out from the next presidential election, Democrats are not yet coalescing around a potential Sanders-AOC ticket. Right now, the idea serves more as a litmus test: Do voters want ideological purity, or effective leadership? The answer, based on current sentiment, is likely not good news for Bernie and AOC.

The challenge is not that Sanders and AOC are too radical. It’s that they appear to many voters as ideologues without discipline. Many feel they are more effective in protest than in governance. Their base wants moral clarity, but more practical swing voters and moderates see unresolved hypocrisy.

Among Democrats still searching for leadership post-2024, the enthusiasm gap is unmistakable. Only 35% of Democratic comments express confidence that AOC could carry a presidential ticket. The rest are either uncertain or opposed, often citing electability, lack of results, and the optics of lifestyle hypocrisy.