The Trump-Tarlov Tussle: A Symptom of a Deeper Media Malaise

In recent weeks, President Donald Trump’s fixation on Fox News personality Jessica Tarlov has reached new heights. His personal attacks have met with characteristic aplomb from the 42-year-old commentator, who has used the opportunity to promote her book and solidify her position as the network’s lone liberal voice.

Trump’s behavior is not surprising given his history of targeting women in media who disagree with him. Tarlov herself has been a target for some time, with Trump previously branding her “one of the Least Attractive and Talented People on all of Television.” His latest salvo – an attack on her looks – is just another installment in this ongoing saga.

What’s more interesting, however, is how Tarlov has responded to these attacks. Rather than engaging with Trump or attempting to change his behavior, she has used the opportunity to highlight the importance of substance over style in media commentary. As she noted on the podcast Pod Save America, “By the president coming after me and looking at the content of the criticism, I actually got to a place where I genuinely feel like when people pick on you because of style, that you’ve just done really well on substance.”

Tarlov’s message is not new; it has been a theme in her work for some time. Her book, “I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends,” offers advice on how to navigate the cutthroat world of media commentary without sacrificing one’s integrity or principles. It’s a message that resonates with many others who have faced similar criticism and harassment.

One thing is clear: Trump’s behavior is part of a larger pattern of hostility towards women in media who challenge his views. From Sarah Huckabee Sanders to Mika Brzezinski, the list of targets is long and growing. This raises questions about our society as a whole – are we witnessing a breakdown in civil discourse, or are there deeper issues at play?

Tarlov’s response to Trump’s attacks has been refreshingly sanguine. As she noted, “It aggravates him, but he would just get annoyed at somebody else, anyone. If he’s in a bad mood, he’s in a bad mood.” It’s almost as if she views the president’s behavior as background noise, something to be tuned out rather than engaged with.

This is not to say that Tarlov is naive or dismissive of Trump’s attacks. Rather, it suggests that she has reached a point where she understands that engaging with him on his own terms would only give him more attention and oxygen. As she said, “There are better things to do.” This is a lesson that many others in media could learn from.

The fact remains that Tarlov is still employed by Fox News, despite Trump’s best efforts to get her fired. Her three-year contract extension was seen as a major coup for the network, and a testament to her ability to navigate even the most treacherous of waters. But what does this say about the state of our media landscape? Are we witnessing a shift towards more nuanced and thoughtful commentary, or are we simply seeing the same old patterns play out?

Tarlov’s story is far from over. As she continues to promote her book and advocate for substance over style in media commentary, it will be fascinating to see how Trump responds – and whether he ultimately learns anything from his fixation on this particular target.

The hard truth is that we are living in an era of increasing polarization and hostility, where even the most seemingly trivial attacks can have far-reaching consequences. But as Tarlov’s story shows, there is still a way forward – one that involves standing up for oneself, refusing to engage with trolls, and promoting substance over style in all aspects of media commentary.

Jessica Tarlov has shown us what it means to be a true media leader in the age of Trump: someone who refuses to back down from criticism, who prioritizes substance over style, and who embodies the very values that our media landscape should strive for. It’s a lesson we would do well to remember – before it’s too late.