And then there was the harsh fact that the world of…
““And then there was the harsh fact that the world of Manhattan and particular its living voice, the media, seemed to cruelly reject them. The media long ago turned on Donald Trump as a wannabe and lightweight, and wrote him off for that ultimate sin—anyway, the ultimate sin in media terms—of trying to curry favor with the media too much. His fame, such as it was, was actually reverse fame—he was famous for being infamous. It was joke fame.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The media can both elevate and destroy public figures, turning notoriety into a paradoxical form of fame that undermines credibility.
In simple terms: Media can make fame into infamy.
Beware of seeking media approval.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- public relations crises
- social media scandals
- brand management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media framing affect public trust?
- Can fame built on infamy be sustainable?
Media narratives can be manipulated, leading to misinterpretations of intent.