Trump Silent After Dan Rather's Comments
Dan Rather, 2016. LBJ Presidential Library photo by Jay Godwin. Public domain.
When legendary newsman Dan Rather dropped a so-called "Turkish proverb" on his Facebook page, he probably didn't expect a cultural detonation. But that's exactly what he got.
The internet erupted — with cheers, snark, and memes — after Rather's thinly veiled jab at U.S. President Donald Trump went viral, with some applauding the sentiment, while others accused the veteran journalist of projecting his own flaws onto Trump or continuing to step outside his lane.
What did Rather say? And perhaps more importantly, what are people saying in response?
The Internet Reacts: Clown Show or Truth Bomb?
Here's the Facebook post that's built up so much buzz.
According to HuffPost, Rather's post has clocked nearly 1 million likes and more than 60,000 comments (so far) — a staggering response, even for someone of his stature.
The comment section and social media as a whole became a circus all of its own, filled wit, wordplay, and general agreement. Rather's supporters saw a truth-teller wielding metaphor as sword.
It's not the first time Rather has used metaphor or hyperbole to make a political point. Indeed, at 93, the former CBS anchor has increasingly used social media to deliver unfiltered takes — and not everyone is so taken with Rather's opinions.
Rather's Receipts Resurface
While Rather's proverb made headlines, another chapter from his past quietly resurfaced — and it wasn't nearly as poetic.
Connie Chung, who once co-anchored CBS Evening News alongside Rather in the 1990s, revealed in her memoir "Connie" that their professional relationship was anything but harmonious. Chung claimed that Rather was dismissive of her and spoke to her in a tone that felt belittling, reportedly telling her, "Now you are going to have to start reading the newspaper," as reported by the Boston Globe.
Rather reportedly told Chung, "I'll cover the stories out there in the field, and you read the teleprompter," according to PennLive. Chung went on to describe Rather as someone with "no sense of humor" and "an inherent bias regarding women."
Rather has denied the claims, telling The Washington Post at the time that Chung's firing from CBS in 2005 "came as a surprise" and that he never publicly criticized her, as reported by the New York Post. Still, the resurfaced feud is stirring new conversation in the wake of Rather's current popularity spike. For some, it raises questions about credibility. For others, it's a reminder that every media figure — no matter how iconic — casts a long shadow.
Depending on your perspective, Dan Rather is either the elder statesman holding the line — or a relic of the establishment still trying to control the story.
And one thing everyone of all opinions can agree on — if the palace is a circus, then the audience is still hooked.
References: Dan Rather Shaded Trump With A "Turkish Proverb," And It’s Gone Hugely Viral | Dan Rather's Post About Donald Trump Is Going Mega Viral | Here's why Connie Chung slammed former CBS anchor Dan Rather in her memoir | Dan Rather's Donald Trump Comment Goes Viral | 'Aggressive, tough, bawdy, and extremely competitive': Connie Chung is back with a tell-all book about her career | Connie Chung slams former CBS co-anchor Dan Rather's 'bias regarding women' in tell-all memoir
