Van Jones, former adviser to President Barack Obama and a current CNN political commentator, made a striking statement recently about Donald Trump that may surprise many of his critics. Jones, during an interview with political commentator Chris Cillizza, remarked that Trump is “smarter” than all of his detractors. This comment came after Cillizza posed a question about how Trump managed to understand that the mainstream media had lost touch with the average American, and how he successfully harnessed alternative media to his advantage.
Jones’ acknowledgment of Trump’s political savvy highlights a significant factor in his successful rise to the White House: the influence of non-traditional, right-wing media. Trump’s use of this alternative media ecosystem, particularly through social media platforms, online influencers, and podcasts, was key in reaching millions of voters outside the scope of mainstream networks. One notable moment was his lengthy interview with Joe Rogan, whose podcast The Joe Rogan Experience attracts millions of listeners. While Kamala Harris participated in traditional media circuits, she notably did not appear on Rogan’s podcast, missing an opportunity to engage with a massive audience that Trump effectively tapped into.
Jones, reflecting on Trump’s success, pointed out the obvious: Trump won. He now holds the White House, and the GOP controls both the Senate and the House, with a clear majority. Additionally, Trump successfully appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, reshaping its ideological balance for a generation. In the 2020 election, Trump also outperformed Harris, securing nearly 2.5 million more votes than his opponent.
Trump’s massive media presence, both traditional and alternative, has allowed him to build a political movement with a fervent following. The former president’s alliance with figures like tech mogul Elon Musk and political icon Robert F. Kennedy Jr. further solidifies his position as a political powerhouse. As Jones astutely observed, “This dude is a phenomenon,” emphasizing how Trump’s influence transcends conventional political boundaries.
Despite ongoing criticisms from mainstream media and the left, Trump’s ability to navigate the modern media landscape and his mastery of the political game have made him one of the most powerful figures of our time. His critics, in Jones’ view, are simply out of touch with the reality of his political prowess.