American Presidency and Entertainment Media

Thomas Gallagher is adjunct professor at Mercy College.

• ContentsIntroductionChapter 1 – Theory and MethodChapter 2 – Different StrokesChapter 3 – Fragmentation and WarChapter 4 – America OnlineChapter 5 - Fair and Balanced?ConclusionWorks CitedAbout the Author

Long before Donald Trump, candidates and sitting presidents used entertainment media to reach both politically engaged and disengaged audiences. However, Gallagher (Mercy College) suggests that Americans are now witnessing “the ultimate fusion of politics and entertainment.” He offers insight into the new political communication landscape using interviews with two-dozen campaign operatives and administration staff. As he traces the uneven path to the entertainment-based environment, one cannot help but recall Lyn Ragsdale’s explanation of the single-executive image in her book Presidential Politics (CH, Mar'89, 26-4136). This time, not all blame rests with network news, which finds it easier to cover one person than 535 and the bureaucracy. Although other presidential hopefuls pioneered the use of digital media, Trump made it a centerpiece of his candidacy. Trump became a household name through entertainment media and used social media to create distrust in mainstream media and political insiders. Regardless, Gallagher still views entertainment media as a platform for presidential candidates and sitting presidents. A challenge is how to use it to one’s advantage. A more serious challenge is how to maintain the dignity of the office. At base, the real concern may be how use of entertainment media impacts political parties and meaningful deliberation. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.