The article examines Steve Bannon's tactics for manipulating media focus during Donald Trump's presidency. Bannon argued that by overwhelming the media with multiple stories, coherent opposition would fade, allowing the administration to implement its agenda unchallenged. The article notes that Trump's initial actions in office illustrate this strategy, creating an environment where it feels like "this is Trump's country now." The cumulative effect of numerous announcements serves to convey Trump's dominance and control over the government and its resources, contrary to official expectations.
Bannon's insight here is real. Focus is the fundamental substance of democracy. It is particularly the substance of opposition. People largely learn of what the government is doing through the media.
If you overwhelm the media... if you give it too many places it needs to look, all at once, if you keep it moving from one thing to the next - no coherent opposition can emerge.
The flood is the point. The overwhelm is the point. The message wasn't in any one executive order or announcement. It was in the cumulative effect of all of them.
This is Trump's country now. This is his government now. It follows his will. It does what he wants.
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