With just days until Election Day, a recent Media Research Center (MRC) analysis reveals that the 2024 presidential race coverage from mainstream media has skewed more dramatically than ever.
Major networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC—have showered Vice President Kamala Harris with 78% positive coverage, while former President Donald Trump faced a staggering 85% negative coverage since July, as reported by News Busters.
The data shows a stark divide, greater even than in 2016 when both Trump and Hillary Clinton experienced mostly negative reporting, and bigger than in 2020, when then-candidate Joe Biden saw 66% positive coverage compared to Trump’s 92% negative press.
From July through October, Trump was subjected to over 230 minutes of airtime filled with personal scandals, while Harris received notably lighter treatment.
MRC analyzed 660 campaign stories aired across these networks since President Biden stepped down on July 21, finding Harris received positive “vibes” largely shaped by enthusiastic voter quotes, while Trump faced near-uniform criticism directly from network reporters.
Although Harris initially received around 350 minutes of coverage, since mid-September, Trump has faced nearly double the airtime—398 minutes for him compared to 230 minutes for Harris—heavily negative.
When it comes to Trump, the networks dedicated 230 minutes to personal controversies, including Trump’s January 6 claims and his critiques of the Biden administration.
Coverage of Trump remained 97-100% negative on topics ranging from hurricane responses to comments about immigration, often casting him as a “danger to democracy” while Harris’s controversies saw little attention.
On policies, coverage was more evenly negative for both candidates. Trump’s policies received 63% negative coverage compared to Harris’s 54%.
As for social issues, abortion and reproductive rights were covered favorably for Harris, with 73% positive coverage, while Trump’s stance saw a resounding 92% negative slant.
