Media and Economic Policy: Contrasting Roosevelt and Trump

6 min readNov 28, 2024

Throughout history, leaders have leveraged media to shape public perception and policy implementation. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Donald Trump stand as two striking examples of how leaders use media in fundamentally different ways to achieve their political and economic goals. Roosevelt, facing the Great Depression, utilized media as a tool to foster public understanding and support for his policies. Trump, in contrast, often appeared to craft policies primarily for their media appeal, prioritizing optics over substance. This article explores the profound differences between these approaches and their implications for governance and public trust.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Media as a Tool for Governance

Here’s FDR, stepping into a collapsing economy with banks folding like cheap lawn chairs and unemployment lines longer than the Great Wall of China. The man needed a miracle — or at least a medium. Enter the radio, the 1930s equivalent of a viral TikTok. Roosevelt didn’t just use it to chat; he used it to educate. He didn’t tell Americans what to think — he taught them how the New Deal would work, why it mattered, and how they were part of the solution.

Fireside Chats: Keeping It Real

Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” weren’t the usual political mumbo jumbo. He spoke to people like they were human beings — no political jargon, no corporate-speak. Just plain talk. Banking reform? Check. Social Security? Covered. Public works programs? You betcha. And guess what? People listened. They trusted him because he respected their intelligence.

His chats weren’t just PR stunts; they were blueprints for action. When Roosevelt said, “We can fix this,” he wasn’t just throwing slogans around. He was giving Americans a roadmap.

Media as a Bridge, Not a Mirror

For FDR, media wasn’t about showing off; it was about connecting. His focus wasn’t on making himself look good but on making the public feel good about the future. He didn’t need to manufacture an image — his leadership spoke for itself. That’s the difference between a leader who serves and one who performs.

Donald Trump: Governance as a Reality Show

Now let’s jump to Trump, who turned governance into the prime-time event of the century. Unlike Roosevelt, who used media to explain policy, Trump flipped the script. His policies often felt like props in a much larger production — the production of Trump, the Brand.

Economic Policy as Political Theater

Take Trump’s tariffs. Slapping China with import taxes was less about fixing trade imbalances and more about selling “America First” to the folks at home. It was headline gold: tough guy takes on Beijing. But dig deeper, and you find American farmers losing markets, consumers paying more for goods, and businesses scrambling to manage rising costs. The reality? It was more Hollywood than Harvard Economics.

Or how about NAFTA 2.0 — excuse me, USMCA? It was rebranded with fanfare and flags, but the changes? Minimal. Trump didn’t need it to be groundbreaking; he just needed it to look groundbreaking. That’s governance-as-performance art.

Media-Driven Decision-Making

Trump’s policies often seemed like answers to the question: “What will play well on Fox News tonight?” Take the border wall. It wasn’t a nuanced immigration policy; it was a massive, concrete selfie. The wall didn’t solve immigration issues, but it sure made for great B-roll footage.

And while FDR used media to create a dialogue, Trump used it to create division. His policies weren’t bridges; they were wedges, designed to polarize and galvanize his base. It’s a strategy, sure, but not one that builds trust or solves problems.

Philosophical Differences in Leadership

Roosevelt: Solving Problems with Policy

Roosevelt’s approach was simple: fix the problem, and the rest will follow. Social Security? A long-term solution to economic insecurity. The FDIC? A safeguard against future banking crises. His media strategy was all about educating the public to ensure that they understood and supported these big, bold moves.

Trump: Shaping Perception with Policy

Trump’s approach flipped the script: create a perception, and the problem will disappear — or at least, it will disappear from the headlines. His focus was less on fixing systemic issues and more on crafting a narrative that kept him in the spotlight. Media wasn’t a tool for governance; it was the reason for governance.

Substance vs. Spectacle

Roosevelt’s Legacy

Roosevelt left behind a blueprint for leadership that prioritized trust, transparency, and transformative policies. The institutions he built — Social Security, the FDIC — are still standing strong. His media strategy set the gold standard for how leaders can educate and inspire during a crisis.

Trump’s Legacy

Trump’s legacy is one of polarization and spectacle. While his approach energized his base, it often came at the expense of long-term planning and institutional trust. Policies like the 2017 tax cuts and trade wars might have grabbed headlines, but their long-term impacts — rising deficits, strained alliances — tell a different story.

The Bottom Line: The Ends Shape the Means

Roosevelt and Trump couldn’t be more different. One used media to serve governance; the other used governance to serve media. Roosevelt’s legacy is one of substance, built on trust and systemic solutions. Trump’s is one of spectacle, built on division and short-term gains.

If there’s a lesson here, it’s this: Leadership isn’t about looking good. It’s about doing good. And in the end, history remembers the substance, not the show.

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