President Donald Trump has spent years attacking the media, branding journalists as “the enemy of the people.” But now that he’s back in the White House, those words are turning into action. In February, his administration barred legacy outlets like the Associated Press from the White House, while his FCC cracked down on independent media. The assault on press freedom has rattled longtime journalists — including New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, known for her biting political critiques.
In an exclusive sit-down with our own Katie Couric, Dowd warned that Trump isn’t just fueling distrust in the press — he’s actively dismantling many of the institutions designed to keep power in check.
“Trump does seem to be deliberately undermining the different branches of government and turning himself into the emperor of chaos,” said Dowd, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist.
“They’re trying to diminish all the different checks and balances and the way the Constitution set it up,” she added. “[Trump’s] looking for a fight with the judiciary, and he’s going to push on that.”
While Trump’s first administration raised plenty of eyebrows, Dowd insists this time is different. Now, she warns, he’s surrounded by advisors who won’t push back. “He’s thrown off all the guardrails,” she cautioned. “Now, he’s surrounded by people who are eager and willing to do whatever he wants.”
Among them? Billionaire Elon Musk, who (unofficially) heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial new initiative driving mass firings of federal workers. But Politico reported that Musk may soon be on his way out — a claim Musk and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have firmly denied.
If Musk’s grip on the government is loosening, he’s not the only one losing ground. The recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election suggests the tide may be turning. Liberal candidate Susan Crawford decisively defeated Brad Schimel, a Trump loyalist heavily funded by Musk. Dowd sees the result as a referendum — not just on Musk’s growing influence, but on his aggressive push to shrink the federal government.
“Trump voters are already wary of Elon and the DOGE wolf pack’s power,” she told Katie.
Still, Dowd acknowledged, Democrats face an uphill battle in reclaiming political control — one that depends on winning back the working class. She argues the party has developed a “disdain” for this crucial voting bloc.
For more, watch Katie’s full conversation with Dowd, in which she dives into Trump’s return, Musk’s influence, and her latest book, Notorious: Portraits of Stars from Hollywood, Culture, Fashion, and Tech.
