Trump may never recover from this breathtaking backfire
The essay argues that Trump’s threats against Kelly and other Democrats helped draw attention to Kelly’s defiance.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYRaw Story is an established online news publisher, but this page is an explicitly opinionated essay rather than a straight reported account. Its author is identified, though the piece relies heavily on the author’s interpretation and a small number of quoted sources.
- Source type — An established online news publisher, though this item is opinion rather than reported news.
- Author attribution — The article identifies John Stoehr and identifies the piece with The Editorial Board.
- Transparency — The article identifies its interview source and attributes quoted commentary.
- Editorial standards — The strongly evaluative framing limits its value as a neutral account of events.
The piece includes direct quotations from Kelly and an interview with a named former editor, but it is largely an argument and provides little independent corroboration or opposing perspective. Several consequential claims are stated through the author’s interpretation.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is an openly opinionated essay that criticizes Trump and Hegseth and celebrates Kelly, without presenting their responses or counterarguments beyond Kelly’s own remarks.
- Counterarguments presented — No defense or counterargument from Trump or Hegseth is included.
- Loaded language — The author uses strongly judgmental language about Trump and Hegseth and approving language about Kelly.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is an essay that openly advances the author’s interpretation.
- Source diversity — The quoted perspectives align with the article’s critical view of the administration.
The essay strongly condemns Trump and his administration while praising Kelly’s response. Its language and selection of commentary make the framing distinctly left-leaning.
- Language tone — Uses condemnatory descriptions of Trump and Hegseth and approving language about Kelly.
- Framing — Frames the episode as evidence of elite impunity and presents Kelly as a model of resistance.
- Source selection — Features an interviewee who agrees with the author’s criticism and offers no opposing view.
John Stoehr argues that President Donald Trump’s threats against Sen. Mark Kelly and other Democrats backfired by drawing attention to Kelly’s defiant response. Kelly said he would continue his work and hold the administration accountable.
Stoehr describes Kelly as one of six Democrats with national security backgrounds who released a video reminding military personnel that they must refuse illegal orders. He says Trump suggested the Democrats should be executed for sedition and that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened to prosecute Kelly. Stoehr presents Kelly’s response on Rachel Maddow’s show as a refusal to be intimidated, quoting Kelly’s promise to keep working and hold the administration accountable.
Community verdict
27 VOTES
Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 2
- Readers of left-leaning coverage: not enough votes yet
- Readers of right-leaning coverage: 54% good look
Votes cast on this page
Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0
People in this story
SWIPE →President whose threats against Kelly and other Democrats are presented as having backfired
Senator whose response to threats from the president and defense secretary anchors the essay
Kelly's version of this story ↗
Former attorney general mentioned in an interviewee’s criticism of the response to January 6
Secretary of Defense whom the author says threatened to prosecute Kelly
Former president mentioned in an interviewee’s criticism of the response to January 6
Senator whose remarks about manliness are briefly cited in the interview
Part of a bigger story
2 OUTLETS- ARTICLES
- 2
- OUTLETS
- 2
- AVG CRED
- 61
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…