Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Time left: ...
Loading...Goal: $500

Fact check: Why does msn lie about trump

Checked on August 16, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal a complex media landscape where perceptions of bias are central to the debate. MSNBC (which is related to MSN through corporate ownership) faces documented criticisms regarding liberal bias and controversial reporting practices [1]. The network has been accused of smearing conservative or right-wing candidates, though some sources also criticize it for being too corporate and not truly progressive enough [2].

Donald Trump has consistently attacked MSNBC and related networks, calling them "illegal" and accusing them of media bias and corruption [3]. Trump has specifically raged at MSNBC hosts over their coverage of his policies, claiming the network lies about him and commits "Major Campaign Violations" [4]. However, the analyses show that Trump's accusations represent his disagreement with their reporting rather than documented evidence of lying [4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question assumes MSN lies about Trump without acknowledging several crucial perspectives:

  • Conservative efforts to influence mainstream media: There are documented attempts by conservatives to exert influence over news outlets, including controversial measures like "bias monitors" for CBS News that some view as government control over media [5].
  • Trump's authoritarian tendencies: Sources suggest that Trump has authoritarian tendencies and admires dictators, which could explain why news organizations report critically on his actions [6]. This provides context for why coverage might appear negative to Trump supporters.
  • Media's responsibility vs. political pressure: One analysis argues that honest press should prioritize accuracy over catering to a bottom line or avoiding criticism from the political right [7], suggesting that critical coverage may reflect journalistic duty rather than bias.
  • Bidirectional criticism: MSNBC faces criticism from both sides - conservatives accuse it of liberal bias while progressives criticize it for being too corporate [2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains several problematic assumptions:

  • Assumes lying without evidence: The question presupposes that MSN lies about Trump, but the analyses show only Trump's disagreement with coverage, not documented evidence of deliberate falsehoods [4].
  • Conflates criticism with dishonesty: The question fails to distinguish between critical reporting based on Trump's documented actions and statements versus actual misinformation.
  • Ignores media ecosystem complexity: The question oversimplifies a complex media landscape where multiple stakeholders benefit from different narratives - Trump benefits from discrediting critical media coverage, while news organizations benefit from audience engagement through political coverage.
  • One-sided framing: The question doesn't acknowledge that perceptions of bias exist across the political spectrum, with sources showing criticism of MSNBC from both conservative and progressive viewpoints [2].
Want to dive deeper?
What are the most common criticisms of MSNBC's Trump coverage?
How does MSNBC's coverage of Trump compare to other major news networks?
What has Donald Trump said about MSNBC's coverage of his presidency?
Have there been any fact-checking analyses of MSNBC's Trump reporting?
How does MSNBC's ownership structure influence its coverage of Trump?