Editor’s Word: A model of this text first appeared within the “Dependable Sources” publication. Sign up for the daily digest chronicling the evolving media landscape here.
New York
CNN
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America’s judicial system is, apparently, not so rigged, in spite of everything.
After spending the final three days raging in opposition to the courts over Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions, the right-wing media machine jumped on the alternative to hype the felony fees being introduced in opposition to Hunter Biden in a trial that acquired underway Monday.
Shops like Fox Information — the place figures similar to Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters and a parade of others have spent weeks bashing the authorized system, even going so far as to painting the unanimous jury verdict to be a part of a deep-state conspiracy in opposition to the disgraced former president — have been more than pleased to position a vivid highlight on the case going through President Joe Biden’s son.
The cognitive dissonance is outstanding to behold. The identical media retailers and figures who’ve informed their audiences that there’s a “two-tiered justice system” in America, are actually prominently protecting a trial wherein Biden’s personal Justice Division prosecutes his son. If Biden is rigging the justice system, he’s doing a awful job.
The trial gives a well timed distraction from the uncomfortable actuality of Trump’s felony convictions and marks the end result of years of right-wing assaults and obsession of the president’s son, providing an everyday serving of purple meat for Fox Information’ prime time viewers over claims of wrongdoing and innuendo surrounding the purported “Biden Crime Household.”
To be clear, the unprecedented nature of a president’s personal son occurring trial for felony fees warrants vital protection. Nonetheless, whereas Trump’s trial was handled as an illegitimate “sham” by the MAGA Media machine, the Hunter Biden trial is being portrayed in a markedly totally different mild. Oddly, the fees introduced in opposition to President Biden’s son don’t signify “election interference.” Apparently, that’s solely a a method road.
Whereas there’s not a “two-tiered justice system” within the nation, there actually is a two-tiered set of requirements that retailers like Fox Information apply to the Democratic Occasion versus the Republican Occasion.
Not solely are the fees in opposition to Hunter Biden being taken very severely by the identical retailers which have spilled untold quantities of ink blasting the courts, however these identical retailers are additionally dishonestly making an attempt to tie President Biden to the alleged crimes of his son, even supposing the GOP has been unable to uncover any proof establishing such a hyperlink. And, suffice to say, it’s not just like the Republican Occasion has not tried.
No matter what occurs within the Hunter Biden trial, nevertheless, Trump’s media allies will nonetheless undoubtedly declare that the justice system is rigged. If Hunter Biden is acquitted or the jury is hung, the right-wing media machine will use it to additional their dishonest narrative that the judicial system is corrupt and solely working to focus on Republicans. However, even when Hunter Biden is discovered responsible, audiences can be informed that he acquired off straightforward and may have been hit with extra extreme fees.
It’s a win-win for MAGA Media, as a result of the house is dominated by retailers and figures who’re at their core dishonest, selecting to as an alternative peddle sure narratives for revenue and energy.