• The mainstream media’s Trump-derangement/hate/obsession/phobia/negative bias is so overwhelming that it is incapable of controlling it or even attempting to be professional. Ann Althouse apparently had the exact reaction to the Memeorandum array of outraged headlines from the most important partner in the Axis of Unethical Conduct this morning as I did: she screen-shotted it all and used it as a post, writing only, “You can see an image of outrage….… if you go to Memeorandum right now, but I’ve saved it for you…” Indeed, this evidence says much more about the state of journalism and punditry in the nation than anything it reveals about Donald Trump.
• The one unstated but implicit message of the media reaction was that CNN was breaching some kind of imaginary, 21st Century journalism ethics tenet by televising the thing. That’s totalitarianism creeping out: like it or not, Trump is the current front-runner to be the GOP nominee for President, and there is an obvious valid news objective in letting the public see him in a spontaneous forum and hear what he has to say. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fine representative of the Big Brother wing of the Democratic Party, condemned CNN over its programming: of course she did. A depressingly large contingent of Democrats would avoid elections entirely if it could keep them in power, just as Joe Biden avoids press conferences. Too dangerous! The Daily Beast was kind enough to provide almost a parody of anti-Trump spin about the town hall, calling Trump a lair while recycling the mainstream media’s Official Democratic Party Talking Points, like describing the Jan. 6 riot as a “failed coup” and the George Floyd riots as “overwhelmingly peaceful and simply demand[ing] that police officers refrain from shooting and killing innocent Black people.”

• In content Trump’s performance was almost boringly predictable, despite the media acting as if he had ripped off a mask and revealed himself to be Satan himself. Of course he ridiculed Tuesday’s jury verdict holding him liable for sexual assault and defamation. He’s going to appeal, and he may have a good chance of winning. Of course Trump continued to argue that the 2020 electing was “rigged” or “stolen.” He believes that. Of course he defended the January 6 morons, and of course he said he would pardon many of them. (Some of them should be pardoned, considering the unconscionable double standards and political motives of the Justice Department to prosecute and convict them. And, of course, Trump had to hurl an obligatory insult at the female CNN moderator, calling her “nasty.” Kaitlin Collins was certainly hostile: I’ve complained here for years about unprofessional hosts on news networks signalling their approval or disapproval with their facial expressions, body language and tone of voice. CNN is a particular offender. I’m glad to see any guest, even Donald Trump, call them on it. Everyone should.
• Trump was playing to his base, because that’s what all candidates do until they are nominated. The news media acted like this was shocking too. Scott Jennings, one of CNN’s few conservative commentators, explained,

Trump likely agreed to the CNN town hall to show he’s vigorous enough to handle the rigors of a campaign and ultimately another term in the White House. He surely wants to make a clear comparison to President Joe Biden, who rarely takes questions from the press and frequently struggles with prepared remarks…. Trump, should he become the GOP nominee, would benefit if the race was decided on those grounds….While [Trump’s performance] may turn off most American voters — particularly critical suburban independents in swing states — it will thrill many Republican primary voters who love to see him bulldoze his way through questions from CNN and other mainstream outlets.”

• The New York Times and other implied that Trump was “lying” for taking credit for the reversal of Roe v. Wade. He appointed three justices who voted to end Roe in a close decision: his assessment is completely defensible.
• Here’s some inadvertent truth from the Times: “The cheers revealed the current psyche of the Republican base, which is eager for confrontation: with the press, with Democrats, with anyone standing in the way of Republicans taking power.” At least the Times admits that the press intends to stand in the way of Republicans taking power.
• Trump called January 6, 2021, a “beautiful day.” That’s reprehensible. It was not an insurrection and was no coup, and the degree to which it has been blown up, politicized and mischaracterized by Democrats, anti-Trump zealots and the news media is disgusting—dishonest, reckless, divisive and irresponsible—but calling the horrible spectacle Trump shares responsibility for triggering “beautiful” should disqualify him as a rational choice for President.
• The Times also signaled that it regarded Trump’s characterization of  Dobbs as “a great victory” as revolting as calling the Capitol riot “beautiful.” Think about that a minute…
• As always, the commentary on Trump’s comments emphasized his “falsehoods.” Until the same commentator complain proportionately about Biden’s almost daily falsehoods, they have no credibility even when they are correct.
• After the CNN circus, the White House staffer who pretends to be Biden issued a tweet. “Do you want four more years of that?” Nobody in their right mind wants four more years of that, which means about 30% of Republicans are not in their right mind or never were, However, the ultimate horrible choice may come down to Trump’s ugly and corrupt character or the demonstrable results of Democratic incompetence, hostility to democratic values, and contempt for the Constitution and rule of law. That should be, if not an a pleasant choice, a clear one.
• I hope against hope that the CNN town hall will stand as a throbbing lesson in hubris not seen since the Golden Age of Greek tragedy. Trump is convinced that he can get away with anything, say anything, and behave as his worst instincts require without jeopardizing his prospects of winning another term as President. He deserves the equivalent of the fate of those ancient Greek tragic heroes.
• I hope Zeus was watching CNN last night.