Since President Trump’s victory in 2016, I often have asked students in my political science classes how they are keeping up with all the political news.
A few excited students enjoy following politics during Trump’s presidency while some are too demoralized to keep abreast. Most, however, are simply exhausted from the daily barrage of disturbing news coming from the White House. Overall reactions have gone from depression to a distinct turning away from politics.
As a political scientist, I am most worried about these students who seek to avoid learning about current political events. Whether they are exhausted or discouraged, how can we keep young people engaged in political topics while being bombarded with daily dispiriting news?
First of all, news about Trump is, by definition, bombastic, negative, offensive and contradictory. However, I tell my students, it’s not healthy to avoid this news. Every day there’s a new Trump scandal: porn stars, obstruction of justice, lies and constant rants and raves. On some days, Trump is planning to impose dramatic tariffs on goods from our allies. On other days, his talk suggests imminent nuclear war with North Korea. And then there are days when he might escalate our military intervention in Syria and even invade Iran.
Let’s not forget the Trump narrative of hordes of brown-skinned people simply walking over our border to sell us drugs, rob us and/or take jobs away from us. With all this fear smothering us, it’s understandable why many young people, as well as everyone else, are exhausted. But, I also tell my students, don’t give in to the fear, depression and the exhaustion!
There is hope! Political satire is alive and well in the U.S. I don’t only mean Saturday Night Live and the late night talk shows. Turn off CNN, Fox News, NBC and, of course, ignore Rush/Hannity/Beck. Put down the Deseret News and the New York Times. Instead, relax, chuckle and even learn a few things by checking out these online satirical websites:
By far, The Onion offers the wittiest headlines:
"Trump Insists That Now, More Than Ever, Americans Must Stand Strong in Face of Empathy”
“ACLU Defends Nazis’ Right to Burn Down ACLU Headquarters”
“Man from Canada Insists He is Not Cold”
"Trump Gives Intelligence Agencies Their Daily Briefing”
"Shirtless Biden Washes Trans Am in White House Driveway”
“Archaeological Dig Uncovers Ancient Race Of Skeleton People”
“Standard Deviation Not Enough for Perverted Statistician”
A close second are the headlines from the Borowitz Report:
"N.R.A. Gun Ban During Pence’s Speech Leaves Him Vulnerable to Bear Attack, DeVos Warns”
"Melania Trump Says Comey’s Book Not as Mean as the One She Is Writing”
"Mexico Agrees to Pay for Trump’s Psychiatric Care”
"Nation Marvels at Trump’s Ability to Turn ExxonMobil Multimillionaire Into Sympathetic Figure”
Other satirical “news” sites I would recommend include:
The National Report with these headlines:
“Trojan Name Ultra-Thin Skin Condom after Donald Trump”
“Area Mall Offering 10% Discount to Non-Active Shooters”
The SatireWire also has some choice headlines:
“Trump Will Deploy Russian Troops to Purge US Deep State”
“Report Confirms Poorest Half of World Probably Not Even Trying”
ScrappleFace and the Daily Currant also are humorous sites:
“Trump Orders Two Immigrants Deported for Each Arrival”
“America Celebrates Fourth Consecutive Day Without Deadly School Shooting”
Clickhole also has some pertinent headlines:
“I Don’t Blame Anyone Who Charges Me $600 to Eat Popcorn Shrimp: 5 Questions with Khloe Kardashian”
So, when you feel you are being consumed by the news (instead of consuming the news), remember the famous Monty Python song: “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Howard Lehman
Howard Lehman, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at the University of Utah.