I’ve been noticing extremely pro-Trump ads being run on Rachel Maddow’s show and other high profile shows on MSNBC, and I don’t see the point. If there’s anyplace you’re likely to find the most unshakably anti-Trump viewers, it’s on prime-time MSNBC shows. These are not people likely to be swayed by the logic of these ads, or influenced by the the visceral impact of the imagery. Not only are they aware of the context and the counter-arguments, but they’re being repeated by the very shows surrounding the ads.
I can understand advertising to sway the undecideds and the fence-sitters, but this seems like they’re simply throwing away their money.
I’m not [opposing the ads, mind you. If the pro-Trump group wants to drop their advertising budget in such hard soil, go ahead. And I think it’s perfectly reasonable for them to reach out to new markets, and for MSNBC viewers to be exposed to new viewpoints.
But I can’t see it having much of an effect. It seems like a very expensive hobby.
Their supply of money is pretty limitless, so I doubt it hurts the campaign much. I suspect that if Individual One spots a Biden ad on Fox, he’s going to pitch a fit unless one of his ads runs on MSNBC. Probably about as effective as feeding brussel sprouts to a dog but whatever.
As I like to say, it is in the interest of corporate media to look at the bottom line rather than ideology.
Besides, many reporters need money to send their kids to college. If it becomes clear that there is no horse race, then one side or both will not bother to spend enough on old time media or other outlets; so, the horse race needs to be pushed hard, up to the point to allow the underdog to keep up.
As for no harm being done, that is like Trump telling us “what do you have to lose?”
The Trump campaign will eventual bait them into turning one down due to content, or more likely before that, they will run one that causes a Twitter meltdown and apology cycle, etc. see Cotton op-ed, et al.
There are liberals who watch Fox News and there are conservatives who watch MSNBC. Both sides have people who enjoy feeding their outrage.
These Trump ads may be targeted to those conservatives. The Trump campaign wants to remind them of their true allegiance when they’re traveling in enemy territory.
Trump won by stumping in areas that are not traditional republican areas in 2016. “I’ll reopen your factories” (that have been closed since Reagan but that’s another thread).
Haven’t seen the ads, but one of the accepted strategies of campaigning is to tamp down the enthusiasm of the other guy’s supporters. Maybe the Trump campaign is betting that they can get a few liberals to not donate as much money to Biden, or better yet, convince them to not vote at all.