The representation of Donald Trump`s presidency: liberal vs conservative leaning media

"Take, for instance, Trump's involvement in the decision to ground the Boeing plane that has been involved in two fatal crashes, the 737 Max 8... Barack Obama was never involved in such safety decisions... I don't know about you, but that's what I would want a president doing - not substituting his judgment for that of the experts but taking a hands-on role in crisis management. Aviation safety is a crucial issue... Trump's personal involvement is a good thing" [42].

Furthermore, rather than judge his personal diplomacy as a reason for the North Korea summit failure, Fox News pointed that Trump still got the best result out of a hard situation, and even though he knew the criticism would appear, he still followed through with the best intentions for the US in mind, which makes him a responsible president that puts the interests of the country before his own:

"The North Korea summit... had failed. And the media wasted no time in declaring it not just a failed summit, but a personal failure for President Trump and his freewheeling style of diplomacy. Many of the negative assessments are valid, but I will say this for the president: He walked away from a bad deal. He knew that Kim Jong Un was asking too much in concessions, and rather than make a flawed deal for the sake of positive headlines, he canceled a scheduled signing ceremony" [55].

Finally, Fox News did not share the same opinion with The New York Times concerning the resemblance between Trump and Brazil's president, stating that they illustrate a new model for democracy, rather than portraying Trump as a threat to democracy and turn to authoritarianism:

"They both represent a new model of leadership for democracies and that is they're both nationalists, they're both anti-elitists, they're both socially conservative. " [37].

Thus, while framing Trump as a chief executive, Fox News portrays him as a different president that has his own style based on the personal involvement. Such style of presidency received some criticism, especially when it took the form of personal attacks, as it represented his aggressiveness and impulsiveness, qualities not considered fit for the president, however, sometimes it was considered necessary. Moreover, in some cases it resulted in Trump not thoroughly considering the consequences of his actions. Still, the criticism was not as extensive as in The New York Times and mostly appeared in the texts, not in the titles. Overall, Fox News was more positive towards Trump, referring to his determination to fulfil promises, intention to protect the country and people who live there, provide them with better conditions. His personal involvement has its flaws, however, it is also one of his strongest qualities as a president that allowed him to achieve some impressive results. Thus, Fox News provided significantly more stories that frame Trump as a competent chief executive, capable to do a good job despite all the criticism.

TRUMP AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN: THE NEW YORK TIMES

There were only few titles that contained a particular depiction of Trump as a private citizen. Some of them portrayed Trump as distant from American people, not leaving the White House. ("Some Presidents Felt Trapped in the White House Bubble. Trump Thrives in It."[35]) The article texts, however, revealed more indications of the existence of certain frame characteristics.

News stories in The New York Times portrayed Trump as unsympathetic and unconcerned about the hardships people are dealing with. He was depicted as completely aloof and disconnected from American people, not caring about their grief and losses. It was apparent, for instance, in the coverage of hurricane damages:

"<Trump> was criticized for lacking empathy. Trying to make small talk with a man whose home had been damaged, he pointed to an elegant yacht that had been washed ashore during the hurricane and was marooned against the back deck of the man's red brick house. "Is this your boat?" he asked the homeowner. When the man shook his head and said "no," the president turned with a grin and said, "At least you got a nice boat out of the deal." [35]

In addition, other articles also pointed to his cold and harsh nature that prevents him from feeling empathy and compassion, as well as his frequent habit to insult other people. It was especially evident with regard to asylum seekers that have long been a sensitive object to Trump:

"<Trump> did not share concern over the plight of people in danger... he used harsh language to describe the thousands of people who have tried to flee violence and poverty... referring to asylum seekers as a "big fat con job" [39].

Thus, while framing Trump as a private citizen, the New York Times portrayed him in a negative way as lacking empathy and warmness, being harsh and rude, distant from common American people, indifferent to their struggles and unconcerned by their problems.

TRUMP AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN: FOX NEWS

Similarly to The New York Times, not many article titles in Fox News offered a specific description of Trump as a private citizen. However, those who did suggested framing Trump in a way to show his humane, compassionate and empathetic side, pointing to the positive qualities of his character. ("Trump fulfills terminally ill man's dying wish with phone call"[41])

The article texts also showed a completely opposite from The New York Times view on Trump as a private citizen. They portrayed him as more sympathetic and warm, showing his caring side and deep concern for other people. These qualities could be observed, for instance, when he was praised for his readiness to do anything to show love and support to survivors of the tornado in Alabama:

"President Donald Trump was just doing what he could to raise spirits when he signed Bibles at an Alabama church for survivors of a deadly tornado outbreak, many religious leaders say... the president's visit was uplifting and will help bring attention to a community that will need a long time to recover " [56].

During the same visit, it was showed that Trump was not distant from people, but in fact was trying to connect with them, expressing the same intention to help and support them in such hard times:

"Trump met privately with survivors and family members affected by the tornado... "I wanted to come the day it happened but they said wait. So thank you." He added: "We love you all" [51].

Trump's warm and humane side was also depicted, when he took the time to call a terminally ill man, Jay Barrett, whose wish it was to talk to Trump. Trump was portrayed as loving, caring and gentle, close to common people and trying to lift the spirit:

"<Trump> fulfilled a terminally ill Connecticut man's dying wish with a phone call on Tuesday evening... Barrett was ecstatic..."You're my kind of man, Jay... I'm very proud of you," Trump said" [41].

Therefore, Fox News, while framing Trump as a private citizen, attributed to him positive traits, emphasizing his deep care, love and concern for American people, connection to them, empathy, warmness and compassion to those who need it, and willingness to help and support them.

CONCLUSION

The analysis proved the hypothesis that liberal and conservative leaning media ascribed different characteristics to Trump, while framing him. Indeed, The New York Times was highly negative towards Trump with regard to both frames, portraying him as a dishonest and incompetent chief executive, who does not keep his promises, provides false claims, fails to successfully implement policies, and even resembles authoritarian leaders; moreover, as a private citizen, Trump was presented as cold and harsh person, who lacks empathy and compassion and is distant from people. Fox News, on the other hand, was more positive towards Trump, admitting the flaws in his presidential style that could have a negative effect, however, also showing the successful results it can bring and presenting him as a capable and determined chief executive, who is committed to fulfil his promises and duties and make the lives of Americans better; moreover, Trump was portrayed as an empathetic, warm and loving private citizen, who is concerned about people and their struggles and is connected to them. Thus, liberal and conservative leaning media offered different representation of Trump and his presidency, even though opinion articles were excluded from the analysis.

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