By Frank Macek There’s no getting around it—Donald J. Trump remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern American political history. From the moment he entered the political arena, he has managed to dominate headlines, spark national debates, and shift the foundation of how campaigns and presidencies are covered. Now, in 2025, with Trump once again in the spotlight amid ongoing legal battles and another presidential campaign, the media is at a crossroads. The national press has been wrestling with how to responsibly cover Trump for nearly a decade. But this isn’t just a dilemma for CNN, Fox News, or The New York Times. Local newsrooms—TV, radio, and newspapers—must also grapple with the question: How do we cover Trump in a way that informs without inflaming, that protects democracy without compromising journalistic standards, and that fiercely defends the First Amendment in the process? This is a challenge that must be taken seriously, because how we cover Trump going forward h...