It was the iconic American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson who famously said:
“What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”
Another critical observation by Emerson is just as important as we assess where we go next as a nation:
“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.”
These are elegant and simple ways to illustrate important life principles. They highlight the consistency of your actions, leadership ability, and character. Based on Emerson’s key observations, we should direct our attention to the current state of our political climate.
The Press
We are all familiar with the First Amendment, which safeguards our freedom of speech. Along with a free press, our Republic should run in an environment where checks and balances are in place daily. However, our press ignores the warnings and advice from Emerson in their rush to be the first with any story. Unfortunately, the behavior of left-leaning news outlets now threatens our Republic.
Today, many journalists struggle to uphold their part of this bargain. Their vital watchdog role is superseded by ideological alignment. This has never been a perfect balance, but today’s imbalance is not normal. This shift in fairness has been obvious in “legacy” media outlets. This erodes public trust in both media and Washington politicians who now avoid scrutiny, particularly those aligned with the Democratic Party.
Major news outlets have been repeatedly criticized for slanting their coverage of events. For example, CNN’s coverage during the first Trump administration was often cited for its relentless negative framing of events. At the same time, its treatment of Democratic figures and events, such as those of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, was much more favorable. Today’s media amplifies the left’s narrative while downplaying or ignoring dissenting voices. This bias is not just anecdotal; it has been well documented by those who watch for anomalies in reporting.
When media outlets selectively write stories to align with their ideology, they distort public opinion and weaken accountability. Today, many people only read headlines, and this can be a powerful way to swing public opinion. Politicians on the left count on sympathetic coverage to avoid criticism, while those on the right often face lopsided scrutiny. This imbalance creates polarization, and the press’s credibility is all but gone.
The rise of activist journalism has compromised the objectivity of reporting. Journalists may avoid challenging leaders to retain influence or avoid backlash from liberal audiences. They are trading objectivity for tribalism, and they become less a check on power and more of a participant in shaping it. They have become members of the tribal left.
President Biden
By the final stretch of Joe Biden’s Presidency, warning signs of his mental and physical decline were impossible to ignore. But most of the mainstream media did not just look away; they actively promoted the myth that he was fine. This was not an oversight; it was a matter of political self-preservation. Challenging a sitting Democratic president comes with consequences, and few are willing to risk. This is a more serious time than when President Wilson’s health was hidden. Challenges to our way of life and the future of democracy come daily from within and from abroad.
The most telling details of President Biden’s decline were not confirmed until after the election through memoirs and interviews. When Biden’s inner circle began speaking up, it was often with an eye on personal gain. Once the election was behind them, stories of confusion, absenteeism, and autopen pardons spilled out. Suddenly, what had been off-limits became fair game.
Even when Special Counsel Robert Hur publicly described Biden as “an elderly man with a poor memory,” the media hedged its response. Rather than dig deeper, many doubled down on defending Biden and casting doubt on Hur. Calls for transparency were brushed off as partisan noise, despite mounting evidence. TV hosts declared Biden “sharper than ever” mere weeks before the now-infamous debate performance, where he visibly struggled to complete thoughts and claimed, “We finally beat Medicare.”
Before that moment, efforts to protect him were treated as routine press strategy rather than serious ethical breaches. When conservative outlets raised alarms, they were dismissed outright. Once some of their claims proved valid, most of the mainstream press still would not follow through. It was not just about defending Biden; it was about keeping their access, controlling the narrative, and dodging uncomfortable realities.
In doing so, they exposed themselves as weak and they failed the public. Voters were not given the whole story. Journalism did not just miss the mark; it left a lasting dent in its credibility. Recovering from that is not going to be quick or easy, if it can be done at all. It is no wonder that the media is shifting to platforms like YouTube, where access is broader and less filtered. If the traditional press delequeses, it will be of their own making.
President Trump
Following the assassination attempt on President Trump, the actions of individuals, the media, and politicians take on greater importance. Biden was among the first to call for civility after the shooting. However, his actions leading up to the failed assassination contradicted his advice. I am a fan of President Trump, but I must admit there are days when the news and comments become just too overwhelming.
Placing yourself in President Trump’s shoes helps me. If I had been unjustly prosecuted multiple times, survived two assassination attempts, and fought my way back to the White House, I might have a very different view of the world, my nation, and my vulnerability. I might conduct myself as if today were my last day, and I need to take all necessary steps to keep the nation on course. I would act with a sense of urgency that might confound my supporters and critics.
But Emerson’s admonition is that actions speak louder than words, and if we measure President Trump on that scale, he gets high marks. From closing the southern border to tariff negotiations to the deportation of illegal criminal aliens to releasing long-sealed fines, he is doing it all. He is working like a man who knows time may be short, and he alone has the fortitude to set the path for the future. His now-famous “Promises made, promises kept” statement says it all.
Where I struggle with President Trump is revealed in Emerson’s second quote. He is angry that few foreign leaders came to his defense when the deep state came after him. His view of America First also puts him at odds with other nations. Reinforcement of this stance through tariffs is a battle he is winning, and if it puts him at odds with others, so be it.
He is also rightly mad at the deep state, and he is moving to unravel as much of it as possible. The announcement that the Justice Department will seek a grand jury indictment against President Obama and his inner circle over election interference says it all. He is angry, sometimes rude and crude, but he is a man on a mission.
What to Do
To restore its integrity, the media must recommit to adversarial reporting regardless of political affiliation. Accountability should not be contingent on ideology. Until the press moves to the center, it will continue to serve as an echo chamber rather than a filter for the truth.
For now, our dealings with the press need to be viewed through the following principles: “Trust no one; Think independently; and Verify all you see and hear.” A sad commentary on a vital cog in the machinery of our democracy. Our press fails to understand Emerson’s observations on opinions and personal character, but as citizens, we have that freedom.
Resources and Further Reading
AllSides Media Bias Chart, AllSides, Allsides.com, Last accessed July 27, 2025.
Biden makes his play for anti-Trump Republicans he hopes can give him a second term, By Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN, cnn.com, June 6, 2024.
Left Wing Biases of Media Sources, By Doga Emir Amasyali, Biasly, bialy.com, March 22, 2022.
Media, Biden team face ongoing questions about former president’s condition, By Editorial Staff, The Times Leader, timesleaderonline.com, May 27, 2025.
Too little, too late: A media in crisis blames Democrats for the Biden cover-up, By Nolan Higdon, Opinion Contributor, The Hill, thehill.com, June 2, 2025.
