As a writer, there are moments when inspiration flows effortlessly, each idea piling onto one another and forming a cascade of articles. Then, there are times when writer’s block becomes a titan-sized wall and the cursor on my Google Doc blinks in rhythm with the frustrating emptiness of a blank page. 

That took me an hour to write. 

What exacerbated this problem was the internet itself. In desperately seeking a topic that would restart my stream of ideas, I scoured Google looking for something, anything that I haven’t written or read all too many times before. But, every search involving the law, politics or social issues yielded the same theme — Donald Trump’s indictment. It was honestly shocking, because what is there left to say about the man?

While it’s undeniable that the first indictment of a former United States president is newsworthy, the media’s constant coverage of him has made him look more like the celebrity he once was than a criminal.

In an interview with The Wash, Washington D.C. visitor Jessica Sheer said, “I think the media sensationalizes Trump a little bit, which in a sense helps him. I feel like this whole event will be in the news cycle for like weeks, but you don’t need to keep repeating the same thing if nothing has changed.” 

Of course, it’s not lost on me that writing this article might appear somewhat ironic. Here I am, urging a shift in focus from Donald Trump’s omnipresence in the news, yet paradoxically, I’m dedicating my words to precisely that. However, this contradiction stresses the very point I’m making. 

The dominance of Trump-related headlines has become so pervasive that even discussing the need for a broader news landscape involves, to some extent, engaging with the very topic I’m advocating we step away from. It’s a testament to the sheer force of this media phenomenon that we find ourselves grappling with, even as we critique its hold over our attention. This internal conflict mirrors the broader challenge we face as a society — one where a single narrative has gained such dominance that it becomes challenging to navigate away from it, even for the purpose of seeking a more balanced coverage of the issues that plague our society.

Associate Professor of Journalism at New York University Jay Rosen explained in an email to Axios that this coverage is not only relentless, it’s turning into a toxic routine.

“The bombast and howling accusations after each charge, the lurid threats and endless victimologies, the mind numbing repetition of it all … is supposed to do just that: numb the mind so that sense making feels impossible and paying attention seems pointless,” Rosen wrote.

Rosen calls this “flooding the zone with crap” — a method meant to exhaust whatever interest there once was in following the news. So while Trump hogs the spotlight, the audience leaves before the next act can even begin. Staying informed is important, but staying informed about only one thing closes your mind.

While Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart did us all a favor on June 19 and placed a gag order on the former president on, the media is feeding his insatiable narcissism for him. Luckily, people are getting tired and, according to CNN Business writer Oliver Darcy, “No one seems to really care about what he has to say.” But it can’t stop there. 

As news consumers, we play a role in demanding a more diverse news diet. It’s up to us to show interest in a wide range of topics and encourage media outlets to offer in-depth coverage beyond the immediate and sensational. By diversifying our consumption and advocating for balanced reporting, we can help reshape the media landscape to be more reflective of the complexities of our society.

Hopefully this is one of the last articles you see about Trump in a while and maybe his time in Georgia’s Fulton County Jail allowed him to reflect on his actions. You might be luckier with the lottery though. Just remember that you get to choose whether or not to read something and I hope you’ll make the right decision. He isn’t worth the clickbait.

​​Helen Nguyen is a graduate student writing about law and social issues. Her column, “Law & Disorder” runs every other Wednesday.