Media Research Group Releases Coverage Report
As President Donald Trump forges ahead in his second term, a new study from the Media Research Center (MRC) confirms what many Americans have long suspected: the mainstream media is not simply covering the news—it’s waging a campaign. According to MRC’s in-depth analysis, 92.2% of all non-partisan, evaluative comments about the Trump administration broadcast by ABC, CBS, and NBC during his first 100 days were negative.
The research, which excluded partisan commentary and focused solely on statements made by anchors, reporters, and credentialed network experts, tallied 1,841 evaluative statements. A mere 143 of those were positive. The rest—1,698—were sharply critical.
BREAKING STUDY: The Trump-hating media gives President Trump 92% negative coverage in his first 100 days in office. https://t.co/fr3XUB8eWS
— MRC NewsBusters (@newsbusters) April 28, 2025
This figure represents a marked escalation from even the overwhelmingly negative coverage Trump received in 2017. And it’s a world away from the 59% positive treatment major networks gave to former President Joe Biden during his first 100 days in office.
Notably, the media’s focus has shifted. Where Trump's first term coverage fixated heavily on his personality, this time around, the fire is aimed squarely at his policies—and often in open opposition to positions polling shows the public supports.
The study highlights three central topics dominating coverage:
- Tariffs, which racked up 361 minutes of airtime
- The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, covered for 310 minutes
- Illegal immigration, receiving 233 minutes of coverage
On all fronts, the tone was overwhelmingly negative—93% in the case of immigration. This is especially telling given that public polling consistently shows majority support for Trump’s immigration agenda, including large-scale deportation and tougher enforcement measures.
In short, there’s a widening gap between how voters see Trump’s policies and how legacy media outlets portray them. The public says “enforce the border”; the media replies with panic. The public supports government streamlining; the networks raise alarms about authoritarianism.
The MRC report also notes that Trump himself, despite being the primary target, wasn't the only one in the crosshairs. Elon Musk, who’s partnered with the Trump administration through the Department of Government Efficiency, received 96% negative coverage. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fared even worse, with a stunning 100% negative rating.