Trump, the Ongoing Saga at the Border and the Media Firestorm
Introduction
The Trump Administration’s battle regarding illegal immigration reared it’s head earlier this week as the “Zero Tolerance Policy” regarding border crossings is enforced, which separates adults from children. It should be noted due to the number of political regulations it is unclear if this is just strictly a Trump administration policy. Regardless it is estimated that two thousand (2000) children have been separated from adults crossing with them illegally. It is very hard to determine due to illegal immigration if these adults are in fact the parents of these children or individuals posing as their parents.
The Trump administration has been on the defensive with poorly done mixed messaging from multiple sources. They had no quick coherent response and currently have no PR crisis team. One of the many things that could have been avoided if they had learned from the Zuckerberg Depositions regarding Cambridge Analytica.
Mixed Messaging
No clear message on the separation from adults and children, has been put forward by the Trump Administration. The amount of disinformation and misinformation running around this situation is appallingly high. Neither side on the right or left is being honest about when the crisis started or what laws are in effect.
The result is haze in which both sides claim the other is at fault. Playing the blame game is not persuasive. There have been two bills put forward in Congress, one by the Democrats and one by the Republicans. it is unclear which at the time of writing will get past or how they will be affected by the President’s Executive Order regarding the border.
The aforementioned Executive Order has also caused issues as many are misinterpreting what it actually means. Which further fuels the fire of disinformation, Media coverage and public outrage.
Mirage of Images
The maelstrom of crisis started when images originally published from 2014 (seen above) were attributed to the Trump Presidency. Those were later to be revealed to be under the previous administration and subsequently updated photos were released. These images added fuel to the embers of public outrage and caused a backdraft unleashing the media firestorm.
An audio tape apparently from inside one of the detention facilities was released by ProPublica reportedly with cries from detained children about their parents and what sounds like a border guard mocking these children. The audio cannot be confirmed to be from inside a detention facility or the year it was taken. Regardless this added fuel to the fire.
Recent tent city photos were also released by the Trump Administration; this has also not helped the situation. The mixed messages by the Trump Administration and the images and audio released by the government and by others have lead people to draw their own conclusions. This has created a mirror for both sides to see what they want.
The Moral License for Action
The Trump Administration like any democratic government needs the moral license to act. The problem is that if one is using the “high ground maneuver” and appealing to “Law and Order” the administration looks cold and callous. If the administration appeals to “Security” they dehumanize the people detained. Dehumanizing children is beyond the pale for the vast majority of people as well. The lack of a convincing moral appeal means the Trump Administration is on the back foot with regards to messaging.
The conservative media specifically Ann Coulter and Corey Lewandowski have not helped quell the firestorm. With Coulter calling the children on the released audio tape “Child actors” and Mr. Lewandowski’s comments on Fox News.
The pushback from some of the public has been very polarizing as well causing several in Hollywood to make threats towards the Trump’s family. Some were particularly graphic involving the victimization of the Trump underage children by adults. These and many other threats caused the secret service to investigate.
In addition, Secretary Neilson of the Department of Homeland Security was run out of a restaurant due to a mob angry regarding the border policy. Mike Pence at a fundraiser in Philadelphia was protested, police had to become involved. New York and San Francisco had large street protests against the administration’s border policy as well.
Several States have taken these actions as the moral license to pull their State military resources (often the nation guard) from the border. Actions that have been praised by those who despise the current administration and it’s actions, while angering those who support it.
Melania’s Coat Fiasco
The mainstream media attacked Melania for her coat choice to a detention facility. An olive drab coat, with the words “I really don’t care, do u” visible on the back shown below:
Melania and her spokesperson have officially commented:
“It’s just a jacket. There’s no message.”
She adds,
“I hope we can talk about her important visit with children today rather than her wardrobe choice.“
Is it just a jacket, yes, but why does it trigger so many people?
Colour
Olive green is an immediate military signifier, that she stands with the troops. The military right now is the highest trusted branch of government left, however, this border situation has called that into question. As the military is being used to detain those who cross the border.
Price
The dollar amount thirty-seven dollars ($ 37.00) to be precise, causes cognitive dissonance in terms of Trump family and state of the office. As people attach higher status to the Office of the President so wearing something much cheaper demeans the office in the eyes of some. It also causes cognitive dissonance as the Trump brand was built on opulence. The move plays to the common man, as the jacket is affordable.
Tone
The defiant tone of the message on the back is a cognitive trap for the issues at the border mentioned above. The potential callous nature of the message hits upon the political rift within America. The “Us versus them” mentality, and that the Trump Administration are true “Monsters”.
It could also be read as message with regards to the hate and verbal abuse she’s received or Trump’s allegations regarding infidelity. It is in many ways ambiguous and thus a magic mirror into people will see what they want to see, whatever your political views.
Coda
It is unclear when this issue will resolve. However, this latest debacle shows how far the rift in America has become. The ratcheting up of tensions of both sides continues with no end in sight, which may, unfortunately, lead to catastrophe.