Trump Briefings Are a Ratings Hit [OPINION]

While Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-New York) has been giving daily briefs on all of the cable news networks, it is President Donald Trump who is emerging as the coronavirus update king.

The New York Times says Trump's daily Coronavirus Task Force updates are drawing huge ratings that are comparable to Monday Night Football, as millions of Americans are tuning in daily. Those are huge numbers, but considering the subject matter and Trump's star power, it is not surprising.

Many Americans are stuck at home wondering when all of this craziness is going to end, so they wait for the daily updates for news of a possible light at the end of the tunnel. They are looking for good news. Something positive and encouraging. Trump delivers for them. Trump offers optimism while Cuomo and the talking head cable dolts offer nothing but gloom, doom, and pessimism.

Remember about a week ago when NBC reporter Peter Anderson attempted to take Trump down by questioning the wisdom of his optimistic messaging? Trump called Alexander a "terrible reporter" and accused him of trying to sensationalize the COVID-19 story. The people cheered.

Millions of Americans are a captive audience for the cable news networks right now and many are seeing for the first time the extent to which the media will go to hype this crisis to make a profit. They are also seeing firsthand how Democrats in Congress are attempting to hijack emergency relief legislation to further their pet projects and they are disgusted by what they see.

Trump and his team, by contrast, are providing real-time information and a message of hope and optimism to the American people, which is what they want and need. Trump's personal approval rating and his ratings for handling this crisis have skyrocketed as a result.

The fact that Trump eats a reporter or two in the process just for fun makes the updates all the more enjoyable.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.