**Bob Costas Critiques Media’s Handling of Trump at Syracuse Event**
Legendary sportscaster Bob Costas recently expressed his discontent with how various media organizations have managed their coverage of President Donald Trump during an event at Syracuse University. The former voice of baseball and the Olympics criticized ABC News for settling with Trump over comments made by George Stephanopoulos regarding the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit. He also took aim at Paramount for its attempts to resolve a lawsuit involving “60 Minutes,” labeling both actions as a form of “ransom.”
Costas acknowledged that media companies often make errors and have “blind spots and misplaced narratives.” However, he emphasized that corrections should not be made solely to benefit Trump. He stated, “If the answer to that is MAGA media, if the answer to that is Donald Trump’s view of the world, which is only through a prism of what benefits him, there are no higher ideals.” He further argued that the normalization of Trump’s actions and rhetoric has led responsible journalists to feel compelled to present both sides, even when one side lacks merit.
He illustrated this point by comparing it to the debate over the shape of the Earth, asserting that objectivity does not require validating false claims. “If someone is contending that the Earth is flat, in order to appear objective, you are not required to say, ‘Well, maybe it might be oblong.’ No, it’s not,” he remarked. Costas concluded that the current reality is that the president shows a blatant disregard for fundamental American principles and decency.
During the event, Costas was honored with the Fred Dressler Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to public understanding of the media.
**FAQ**
**What did Bob Costas criticize about media coverage of Trump?**
Bob Costas criticized media organizations for settling lawsuits involving Trump and for normalizing his actions, arguing that responsible journalism should not feel obligated to present false narratives as valid.