My attention was caught this slow morning by New York Times’ columnist Nicholas Kristof’s effort on his “worst columns” of 2017.

The topic turned out to be his columns that drew the smallest readership.  Bottom line, said Kristof:

Advertisement

I’m not allowed to give raw numbers, which are proprietary, but I can say that on average my columns about President Trump had readership more than twice that of my columns about foreign topics. The news industry, especially television networks, understands that anything about Trump draws an audience, while pieces about overseas crises involve an unfortunate trifecta: They are expensive to cover, sometimes dangerous to report, and often do poorly with audiences. I’m grateful to my editors for letting me spend their money on these global stories, and to my readers for sticking with me as I cover them.

No kidding. Trump sells.

My own experience is supportive. Generally speaking, I have a higher number of views on my daily video news/comment roundups on Facebook and YouTube when the lead item is about Donald Trump. They also draw many more comments. An interesting facet of that: The Trump commentary brings out the Fake News crowd with vituperation. What’s clear from many of the opinions is that they are formed — not by watching what I actually said — but by the incomplete text summaries of video content. All the MAGA crowd needs to know is that I might be criticizing their man. Fake News by an idiot it must be. Facts? Who needs them?

Advertisement

I look forward to wearing the Resist T-shirt I got as a Christmas present last night. And I’m hopeful that my one-item Christmas gift wish list is fulfilled — a football coach-quality metal whistle to blow into the phone at my periodic profane anonymous calls from cowardly Trumpistas.

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article The End of the Year Edition Next article The end of the pension and its ill consequences in the ‘Golden Years’