Ep. 55: Jake Tapper and the Art of Faux-Adversarialism

Jake Tapper’s career trajectory is an object lesson in how to succeed in corporate media. The formula generally goes like this: go after the fringes of the left and the right––but mostly the left. Never offend any traditional centers of power. Mug. Constantly mug for the camera. Hitch your brand to “The Troops” And-always, always––attack from the neoconservative right.

As previously discussed in our John McCain News Brief, the issue with John McCain was less so about the man himself but what he represented: posturing National Security state jingoism at the heart of America’s civic religion; a phony notion of self-importance that animates US militarism. Just the same, this week’s episode is less about Tapper and more about what he represents: the dead center of American corporate media; hollow, faux-adversarialism marked by military worship; less interested in original reporting than serving as a bouncer for Club Acceptable Opinion.  

We are joined on this week's episode by journalist Natasha Lennard.

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Guest

Natasha Lennard is a contributing writer at The Intercept. Her work covers politics and power and has appeared in Esquire, Fusion, The Nation, The New Inquiry and The New York Times. Her book "Violence," co-written with Brad Evans, will be released in November 2018. Follow her at @natashalennard.

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Show Notes

Jake Tapper Congratulates and Thanks John McCain ‘Since President Trump Would Not Do It’

Caleb Howe | August 13, 2018 | Mediaite

The Fact-Checkers Are Clueless

Matt Bruenig | August 20, 2018 | Jacobin

‘Whataboutism’ Runs Amok as Jake Tapper Rattles Off Trump Talking Points

Adam Johnson | December 24, 2017 | FAIR

CNN Celebrates ‘Joy’ of McCain a Day After His Genocidal Threat

Adam Johnson | September 12, 2017 | FAIR

Jake Tapper's Afghan Siege Book 'The Outpost' Nabbed by Millennium Films

Tatiana Siegel | July 20, 2017 | The Hollywood Reporter

The Return of the Dangerous ‘Obama Did Nothing’ Narrative on Syria

Reed Richardson | April 7, 2017 | FAIR

Tapper: Why Did WH Invite 9/11 Truther Macklemore After Waging ‘War’ on Birthers?

Josh Feldman | October 6, 2016 | Mediaite

ABC: Social Security Running Out of Money?

Peter Hart | August 21, 2012 | FAIR

ABC and the ‘Family Budget’ Fallacy

Peter Hart | February 14, 2012 | FAIR

McCain calls for hearings

Jake Tapper | June 13, 2003 | Salon

McCain returns to the past

Jake Tapper | April 27, 2000 | Salon

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Transcript

A full transcript of this episode can be found here.

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