Trump can get away with saying what he likes about the BBC. But Epstein? That’s his one vulnerability | Jonathan Freedland
In a recent article, the complex dynamics of Donald Trump’s confrontational approach to media and accountability are examined, particularly focusing on his recent attacks against the BBC. The piece highlights the inherent asymmetry in the political landscape where Trump operates, suggesting that he has a distinct advantage over his critics due to his disregard for truth and conventional standards of honesty. This has been a consistent pattern throughout his political career, illustrated by the staggering number of false or misleading statements he made during his first term, which the Washington Post tracked at over 30,000. Even in a single interview earlier this month, Trump was reported to have made 18 false claims, underscoring his persistent strategy of operating outside the bounds of factual discourse.
The implications of Trump’s behavior extend beyond American politics, affecting global institutions like the BBC, which plays a crucial role in British public life. His willingness to challenge and undermine such a venerable institution reflects a broader trend of populist leaders targeting traditional media, which they often deem as adversaries. This tactic not only serves to rally his base, who may see such attacks as a defense against perceived elitism and bias, but it also poses significant challenges for those who seek to hold him accountable. The article argues that as Trump continues to navigate the political landscape with little regard for established norms, the ramifications for democratic institutions and media integrity are profound. As we approach the upcoming election cycle, the question remains whether the American public and international observers will allow these tactics to reshape the political discourse or push back against the erosion of truth in politics.
In attacking a vital broadcaster, the US president is once again holding others to standards he flouts. But the Maga faithful might not let his links to the disgraced financier go
To confront Donald Trump is to engage in asymmetric warfare. It is to enter a battlefield that is not level, where he enjoys an immediate and in-built advantage over those who would oppose him or merely hold him to account. That fact has cost Democrats dearly over the past decade – exacting a toll again this very week – but it has now upended an institution central to Britain’s national life: namely, the BBC.
The key asymmetry can be spelled out simply. Trump pays little or no regard to the conventional bounds of truth or honesty. His documented tally of false or misleading statements runs into the tens of thousands: the Washington Post
registered 30,573
such statements during Trump’s first term in the White House, an average of 21 a day. In a single interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes earlier this month, Trump
spoke falsely 18 times
, according to CNN.
Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist
Guardian newsroom: Year One of Trumpism: Is Britain Emulating the US?
On Wednesday 21 January 2026, join Jonathan Freedland, Tania Branigan and Nick Lowles as they reflect on the first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency – and to ask if Britain could be set on the same path.
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