Donald Trump's celebrity status posed an unusual challenge for traditional political journalism.

Expected Coverage:

Experts predicted the press would offer derisive, 'clown-like' coverage due to his unconventional background and reality TV career.

Actual Treatment:

Despite expectations, the high entertainment value of his campaign led major outlets like The New York Times and Washington Post to cover him extensively throughout both the primaries and general election.

The Dilemma Explained:

The press faced a unique conflict: balancing established journalistic standards with the allure of celebrity coverage. Our analysis draws on:

• Qualitative evidence from interviews with journalists
• Quantitative insights from a content analysis tracking Trump's mentions across key campaign periods

This study reveals how entertainment-infused politics reshaped media approaches to presidential campaigns.