A recent discussion on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” highlighted a perceived inconsistency in criticism leveled at individuals engaging with former President Donald Trump. Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin found himself defending his position after being questioned about his silence regarding Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, and his interactions with Trump.
The controversy began when Rogin publicly criticized comedian Bill Maher for meeting with Trump, suggesting Maher had inadvertently strengthened the former president’s hand. Rogin stated, “I think you’ve fallen into the trap…you’ve played the game of proximity is principle.” He clarified that his concern wasn’t Maher’s intent but rather the potential outcome of such engagement.
Morgan then challenged Rogin, pointing out Bezos’ own apparent shift in attitude toward Trump. He cited examples like a December dinner at Mar-a-Lago and a $1 million pledge to Trump’s inauguration fund. “You work for The Washington Post,” Morgan asserted, “Your owner…has done a lot more than Bill Maher in crossing the divide with Trump.”
Rogin responded by denying he was attempting to criticize Maher specifically and emphasizing that engagement with Trump wasn’t necessarily a pathway toward reconciliation. He stated his concern was about “the idea that engagement with Trump is some sort of bridge towards healing the cultural divide.”
He also asserted a lack of insight into Bezos’s actions, explaining he operates at a level within The Washington Post that doesn’t afford him visibility into executive decisions. “I am not privy to what goes on at the management level,” Rogin explained.
Morgan playfully pressed the issue, using the adage “if it looks like a duck, and it sounds like a duck, it’s probably a duck.” He suggested that Maher might perceive a double standard given Rogin’s apparent reluctance to address Bezos’s behavior.
Rogin ultimately admitted his caution stemmed from potential repercussions: “If I comment on Jeff Bezos, then I could be fired from my job.” He elaborated, stating that individuals involved in politics must weigh their own values and interests without judgment of others. He added, “Every person that engages with this administration…has to make that judgment based on their own calculations.”
Rogin reiterated the consistency of his views, noting he’d previously expressed similar sentiments when addressing Maher: “Engagement is good, and the way that you do it matters.” He concluded by asserting his philosophy wouldn’t satisfy either staunch Trump supporters or liberals, stating, “I’m neither Trumpster nor a liberal.”
Key takeaways from this exchange include:
- Rogin was questioned about the apparent inconsistency of criticizing Bill Maher’s meeting with Trump while remaining silent on Jeff Bezos’s actions.
- Bezos has reportedly demonstrated increased warmth towards Trump, including a dinner at Mar-a-Lago and financial contributions.
- Rogin attributed his caution to fear of potential job repercussions if he publicly criticized his employer.
- He emphasized the need for individuals to make their own judgments about engagement with political figures without being judged by others.
As Rogin stated, “That’s the best answer I can give you, being honest, without losing my job.”
