Editorial: Please Support AlterNet in the Fight Against Trump-Inspired Violence

Donald Trump warns there may be "riots and tremendous problems," if the GOP prevents him from gaining its presidential nomination. He yearns for protesters to be "carried out on a stretcher" at his rallies. "Get 'em outta here," he says, expressing the desire to "punch protesters in the face."

Yet Trump has crushed his Republican opponents, while attacking immigrants, seeking to ban Muslims and pushing to build a giant wall along our southern border.

Ugly. Scary. Unprecedented. All true. The 2016 presidential race has been dominated by fear, violence and prejudice like no other in our lifetime. But why now?

There are important reasons, including the debasement of civility for decades by right-wing Republicans wanting to wreck government, and the enactment of harsh policies by reactionary conservatives, that have dramatically increased inequality and destroyed the middle class. 

But the money-hungry corporate media are a huge part of the problem. Violence is still as American as apple pie, and that violence is enabled by our corporate media at every opportunity.

CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, in an astoundingly evil admission about Trump, said, "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS." Moonves called the campaign for president a "circus" full of "bomb throwing." "Man, who would have expected the ride we're all having right now? The money's rolling in and this is fun,” and "this is going to be a very good year for us. Sorry. It's a terrible thing to say. But bring it on, Donald. Keep going," said Moonves.

The media distorts reality, giving Trump obscene amounts of coverage, because like those driving by a car wreck, huge numbers of people can't divert their attention. CNN's ratings are way up since it has gone all Trump, all the time. This translates to big audiences, huge numbers of eyeballs and big bucks for the giant media corporations. This is the same media that has often ignored Bernie Sanders, who talks sense about the problems facing America and never advocates violence.

Independent media is more important than ever. Without our perspective, good sense and a far more accurate narrative of what is happening in America, our nation would be even more quickly spiraling toward disaster.

The whole story needs to get out every day. And without AlterNet, and other independent sources, our future would be bleaker than it looks right now. AlterNet depends on you to provide us the support to push back against Trump violence and the awful enabling role played by corporate media. Please keep us economically healthy by making a contribution to our spring fundraising campaign. We need to raise $45k to meet our budget requirements—and we depend on you.