Staff Reports
Two CNN panelists recently managed to draw some truly bizarre connections between South Korea’s martial law and America under Donald Trump. M.J. Lee, a correspondent for CNN who knows a thing or two about life under oppressive regimes, thought it would be fascinating to link the martial law declaration by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol with the supposed chaos of a potential Trump presidency. Apparently, for Lee, every situation involves a Trump comparison, even if it stretches the limits of logic faster than a rubber band.
According to Lee, Americans ought to pay attention to this South Korean development since it eerily mirrors what might happen here if Trump regains office. The notion that a military takeover in South Korea reflects a domestic crisis in the U.S. is not only exaggerated but also downright entertaining, considering the actual context around Trump’s presidency, which notably never involved martial law. It seems the only thing that triggers martial law discussions is the considerable stretch of the imagination that a certain news outlet indulges in while talking about Trump.
CNN says that what’s happening in South Korea now is a reminder for America of J6.
It’s actually a reminder of what Democrats did during Trump’s presidency. pic.twitter.com/aiQZHKozpc
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 3, 2024
John Bresnahan, co-founder of Punchbowl News, chimed in to affirm Lee’s claims, reinforcing the narrative that Trump is somehow a warmonger eager for a military showdown with his political rivals. It’s almost as if Bresnahan believes Trump views the military as a chess piece in a political game rather than the dedicated force meant to protect American freedoms. The mere mention of January 6 has become a go-to for those wishing to evoke a sense of fear, conveniently ignoring the hundreds of peaceful protests that characterized the Trump era.
In reality, during his four years in office, Donald Trump never enacted martial law, which would have been the kind of draconian measure associated with the suspension of civil liberties. In contrast, the swift repeal of President Yoon’s martial law declaration came just hours after it was put in place, thanks to an admirable display of democratic pushback. The situation in South Korea serves as a reminder of the difference between a genuine military crisis and political fear-mongering in the media.
So here’s the takeaway: Despite the efforts of certain media personnel to paint a doomsday picture, comparing South Korea’s situation with fictional scenarios in America under Trump is extremely thin on facts. It’s almost as if they’re grasping at straws, hoping the public will buy into their fear-driven narrative. As it stands, the logic behind such comparisons appears to be as feeble as their attempts to generate headlines wherever possible. Justice and rational discussion seem to take a back seat when sensationalism is at play.
