Legendary sportscaster Bob Costas voiced his frustration with the media’s approach to covering President Donald Trump during a speech at Syracuse University on Monday. Costas highlighted the recent settlements made by ABC News and Paramount over Trump-related matters, calling them a form of ‘ransom.’ He argued that the media’s attempts to maintain objectivity have been undermined by the normalization of Trump’s behavior, which he believes lacks any adherence to ‘basic American principles and common decency.’
The former voice of baseball and the Olympics took particular issue with ABC News’ decision to settle with Trump over George Stephanopoulos’ comments about the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit. Costas also criticized Paramount for its efforts to resolve a ’60 Minutes’ lawsuit, suggesting that these settlements reflect a broader tendency for media outlets to avoid confrontation at the expense of journalistic integrity. In his view, the media’s insistence on presenting ‘two sides’ to every story is failing to address the reality that Trump’s actions represent a departure from fundamental democratic values.
Costas emphasized that while media companies do make mistakes, the problem lies in the way they have allowed Trump’s narrative to dominate the public discourse. He argued that there is no need to defend Trump or his administration in the name of objectivity, as doing so would only serve to legitimize a figure who has shown ‘absolutely no regard’ for American principles. Instead, he called for a return to a more principled form of journalism that recognizes the gravity of Trump’s behavior without compromising its core values.
Critics of Costas have pointed out that his comments align with a broader critique of the mainstream media’s role in the Trump era. While some view his remarks as a call for journalistic integrity, others argue that his stance could risk exacerbating the polarization already present in American media. Regardless, Costas’s comments have reignited discussions about the ethical responsibilities of journalists in covering a president who has consistently challenged the norms of democratic discourse.