Trump Could Transform US Media into Propaganda Machine, Joy Reid Warns

MSNBC host Joy Reid sparked controversy Tuesday night with statements suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump could transform American media into a state-run propaganda apparatus similar to that of North Korea.

During a segment on her show “The ReidOut,” Reid expressed concerns about the future of press freedom under Trump’s second administration, warning viewers that independent journalism could face unprecedented threats in the coming years.

“What happens when Donald Trump takes control? We’ve never experienced that in this country before. But we are familiar with what state TV looks like in places like Russia and North Korea,” Reid said, referencing authoritarian regimes known for strict media control and censorship.

Reid pointed to Trump’s repeated criticism of mainstream media outlets and his promises to “go after” perceived enemies in the press as evidence for her concerns. Throughout his first term and subsequent campaign, Trump frequently labeled unflattering coverage as “fake news” and described journalists as “enemies of the people.”

The MSNBC host’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of Trump’s proposed media policies. During his campaign, Trump pledged to revoke broadcast licenses from networks he views as hostile and suggested possible legal action against news organizations that publish critical stories about his administration.

Media experts and press freedom advocates have expressed alarm over such rhetoric, noting that while the U.S. has strong First Amendment protections, a determined administration could still find ways to pressure or intimidate news outlets through regulatory channels, selective access, or legal challenges.

First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams, who spoke with Reuters last week, called Trump’s media-related threats “the most significant danger to press freedom since the Sedition Act of 1798,” referring to the controversial law that once criminalized criticism of the federal government.

The President-elect’s relationship with certain media outlets has been notably warmer. Fox News, in particular, has maintained generally favorable coverage of Trump throughout both of his presidential campaigns, with several of its opinion hosts openly supporting his policies and political ambitions.

Trump has already begun assembling his communications team for his second term, with reports suggesting he plans to appoint allies who share his combative stance toward mainstream media outlets. These appointments could signal a more adversarial relationship between the White House press office and journalists covering the administration.

Reid’s North Korea comparison has drawn criticism from conservative commentators who argue it represents hyperbolic fearmongering. The Republican National Committee released a statement Wednesday calling her remarks “irresponsible and detached from reality,” noting that America’s constitutional protections for press freedom remain firmly in place regardless of who occupies the White House.

However, others point to concerning global trends in which democratically elected leaders have gradually eroded press freedoms through regulatory pressure, economic manipulation, and public delegitimization of independent journalism.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, which monitors press freedom worldwide, has documented increasing attacks on journalists in democratic nations over the past decade, with political polarization often fueling hostility toward reporters.

As Trump prepares to return to office in January, news organizations across the political spectrum are developing strategies to maintain independent coverage while navigating what many expect to be a challenging environment for press access and relations.

CNN’s new president Mark Thompson addressed his newsroom last week, emphasizing the network’s commitment to fact-based reporting regardless of political pressure. “Our job is not to be liked by any administration,” Thompson said, according to internal memos. “Our job is to report the truth as we find it.”

Whether Reid’s warnings prove prescient or overblown remains to be seen, but her comments highlight the tension and uncertainty surrounding the future relationship between the incoming administration and America’s free press—a relationship that will likely shape public discourse throughout Trump’s second term.