The recent Democratic National Convention was vibrant with energy, coinciding with Trump’s evident discomfort, suggesting that Kamala Harris, as the new presidential nominee, has invigorated her party’s stance.

The Democrats have shifted from fearing Trump’s perceived strength to recognizing him as a candidate laden with issues, reminiscent of an outdated act that’s more burdened than a holiday travel hub.

The party has also moved past the media’s double standards which unfairly scrutinized Biden while ignoring Trump’s continuous deceitfulness, advanced age, and erratic behavior.

Harris Shines a Light on the Democrats’ New Resolve

The Harris campaign seems to have realized: “We have a sitting vice president with a dynamic past, and we are up against a chaotic 78-year-old with serious criminal charges and a dull routine. Let’s embrace that reality!”

This renewed attitude was vividly displayed at the convention.

Trump’s Image Reframed: Harris Calls Him ‘An Unserious Man’

During the DNC, Trump was frequently mentioned, primarily to underscore his undemocratic actions and the ludicrous remarks he has made.

In her acceptance speech, Harris remarked, “In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man.”

But why label him unserious? Despite his chaotic antics on social media during Harris’ 40-minute speech, including unusual outbursts about Hunter Biden, it’s clear Trump is seen as irrelevant.

The convention speakers did not portray Trump as a significant danger due to any power he holds.

Instead, he was characterized as a faded joke.

Harris and the Democrats Undermine Trump’s Power by Ignoring Him

The genuine concern framed by the Democrats revolves around the potential policies Trump could implement, influenced by his allies pushing extreme agendas, particularly those outlined by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

This suggests that rather than being a strong leader, Trump is seen as vulnerable and easily swayed, possibly enacting reckless policies suggested by those around him.

This strategy is shrewd and effective, likely to drive Trump into a frenzy. Trump usually seeks to control narratives through intimidation and falsehoods, often putting his opponents on the defensive even when they have no reason to be.

Harris and her team have recognized this and are choosing to dismiss Trump instead of engaging with him, stripping away one of his main tactics of distraction.

Why Should Harris Play by Different Rules Than Trump in the Media?

At the convention, it was clear that Democrats are not intimidated by either liberal or conservative commentators.

To begin with, the convention brought in a variety of “influencers” and “creatives,” individuals who can effectively share Harris’ message and capture potentially viral moments from the event directly with voters, bypassing traditional news outlets.

While many reporters expressed frustration over the limited access and credentials, it seems the Harris campaign was unfazed. And honestly, I can understand their perspective.

In the era of Trump, mainstream media has often gone to great lengths to normalize a politician who is anything but normal and has been quite harmful.

Should we take a Trump social media post seriously?

Consider this example from Friday. Trump tweeted: “My Administration will be great for women and their reproductive rights.”

This led to a headline from the New York Times: “On Truth Social, Donald Trump Tries to Reposition Himself as Supportive of Abortion Rights.”

Are you serious? Trump has often bragged about appointing the Supreme Court justices who reversed Roe v. Wade, even claiming, “We broke Roe v. Wade.”

He is part of a party that supports a national abortion ban and has considered making IVF and contraception illegal.

Therefore, a single post on Truth Social making vague claims about being “great” for reproductive rights doesn’t mean Trump is now supportive of abortion rights. It’s simply another falsehood. It’s absurd for The Times to treat it as anything else.

Harris is taking charge. She’s defining her campaign’s course.

The same political media that sanitizes Trump’s fabrications will then turn to the Harris campaign, expecting in-depth interviews, press conferences, and more information on the vice president’s policy plans.

Harris’s response seems to convey: “We will communicate on our terms, not yours, and we’ve already shared more policy details than our opponent. Have you thought about asking him to clarify how he intends to carry out a ‘mass deportation’? Or what his plans are for the Florida ballot initiative trying to eliminate the state’s six-week abortion ban? Will Trump’s newfound support for abortion rights affect his vote on that issue?”

Ideally, I’m not in favor of politicians avoiding the media. However, what Harris is doing isn’t avoiding; she is strategically demanding a fair treatment from news organizations that have not accurately grappled with a habitual liar, and to quote Harris, an unserious individual.

The DNC showcased that the Harris-Walz campaign is geared towards making its own statements while dismissing the bully in the race. These are intelligent strategies when confronting an opponent who behaves immaturely and receives media support to appear more mature.