Trump Calls Rachel Maddow and Cable News 'Enemy of the People'

Trump Criticizes Maddow, Media Following California Meeting

In a late-night social media post, President Donald Trump targeted MSNBC host Rachel Maddow and major cable news networks, escalating his ongoing criticism of mainstream media. The statement came hours after Trump's contentious roundtable discussion with Democratic leaders in California regarding wildfire response. MSNBC / Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Trump Targets Rachel Maddow and MSNBC in Fiery Statement

“Wow! Rachel Maddow has horrible ratings. She’ll be off the air very soon. MSNBC IS CLOSE TO DEATH. CNN HAS REACHED THE BOTTOM. This is a good thing. They are the Enemy of the people!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The Trump White House / Wikimedia

Rachel Maddow Returns to Weeknight MSNBC Spotlight During Trump Presidency

Rachel Maddow, a long-time critic of Donald Trump, is set to return to MSNBC five nights a week for the initial 100 days of Trump’s presidency, according to The New York Times. This marks a significant shift for the network’s programming as Maddow intensifies her coverage during the early days of the new administration.

In 2023, Maddow openly criticized Trump for attempting to bring “a strongman form of government” to the United States, a claim she reiterated during his first week in office. She also highlighted Trump’s disdain for her network, reflecting the ongoing tension between the former president and the media. Terry Ballard / Wikimedia

Trump Urges Aggressive Emergency Powers in California Wildfire Meeting

Trump's comments followed a heated meeting with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass regarding California wildfire recovery efforts, where Trump urged more aggressive use of emergency powers. "You have emergency powers, just like I do, and I'm exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also," Trump told Bass during the discussion, according to the New York Post. City of Los Angeles / Wikimedia

California Wildfires Become Most Expensive Natural Disaster in U.S. History

The administration faces significant challenges, including recovery efforts from devastating wildfires in California. The fires, which have ravaged Southern California, have driven estimated economic losses to an unprecedented $250–$275 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Initially projected at around $50 billion, the losses skyrocketed as the fires swept through affluent areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena, according to the Los Angeles Times. Sandy Hooper / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images