Not gullibility, not exactly. Nor personal agreement.
A deep psychological need and professional incentive for normality, with both sides equal, where we share basic values but disagree about how.
Because if it really is this bad, good people would be biased against it, not neutral and “balanced.”
After Trump tells NBC News he could maybe use a "softer touch" on immigration, we immediately get the "different tone" narrative from CNN.
Brianna Keilar: "A change of tone for the president. Softer touch."
David Chalian: "He acknowledged learning something that this requires a softer touch."
Feb 4, 2026 23:31Do the people at CNN really believe Trump has had a change of heart, adopted a sincere new tone, and is adjusting policy accordingly?
I doubt it, but who knows.
I’m not accusing them of believing him or falling for it, I’m accusing them of not caring. They act like truth isn’t part of their job.