Gotta Get 'Em Where They Live

If you think Trump regime propaganda is limited to FOX and Ruper Murdoch's papers, you have another thing coming to you as Sinclair Broadcast Group, the nation's largest owner of local TV affiliates, is running pro-Trump commentary nine times a week on all its stations, which cover TV markets in more than 40 of the 50 US  states.

Sinclair Broadcasting is giving more exposure to political commentator and former Trump administration official Boris Epshteyn by increasing its number of "must run" segments at its 173 local affiliates across the country.

Sinclair will now require its stations to run nine Epshteyn commentaries per week, an increase from the three per week requirement since the 34-year-old Russian-born former investment banker and attorney joined in April.

Politico first reported the Sinclair plans for Epshteyn.

In addition to an increase in commentaries, Epshteyn is also expected to conduct interviews with Washington, D.C., political figures.

Many Sinclair stations exist in the Midwestern swing states key to President Trump's victory last November and in some cases reach more viewers than CNN, a network Trump has consistently attacked more than any other as "fake news."

Comedian John Oliver addressed Sinclair's corporate office requirement to run these segments on his HBO show "Last Week Tonight" on July 2, noting that Sinclair's alleged right-wing bias would inject conservative views into local news broadcasts.

“Sinclair content tilts noticeably conservative,” Oliver said, adding there wouldn't be an issue if “the opinions were confined to the commentary or the ad breaks.”

Epshteyn joined Sinclair three months ago, and his role as propagandist is pretty damn clear.

“We understand the frustration with government and traditional institutions,” Livingston said. “Mr. Epshteyn brings a unique perspective to the political conversation and will play a pivotal role in our mission to dissect the stories in the headlines and to better inform and empower our viewers.”

Epshteyn was most recently Special Assistant to The President and Assistant Communications Director for Surrogate Operations for the Executive Office of President Trump. Before that he was communications director for Trump’s inaugural committee and a senior advisor to the Trump campaign.

“I greatly admire Sinclair’s mission to provide thoughtful impactful reporting throughout the country. I look forward to contributing my voice to the ongoing dialogue with the American people,” Epshteyn said.

And remember, Sinclair is currently in merger talks with Tribune entertainment, which would give the combined company access to about 40% of the local TV market in America.  FOX isn't the "fake news" outlet we need to be worried about these days.  Remember, people still trust their local news stations, and in some cases Sinclair would reach more viewers than FOX News.

This is a battle we're losing, folks.  We're losing it badly, and we're going to suffer for it.