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With multiple news outlets calling the 2024 election for Donald Trump, media bias was clearly on display in numerous media outlets’ social media feeds the morning of Nov. 6.
Here’s a roundup of how media outlets on the left, center, and right displayed bias in election news posted to Instagram.
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Biased Social Media Posts from Outlets Across the Political Spectrum
HuffPost (Left bias) wrote a headline with a clear bent against Trump: "Coup-Attempting Convicted Criminal Donald Trump Wins Presidential Election.”
Newsmax (Right bias) showcased multiple photos of Kamala supporters crying:
The Washington Post (Lean Left) mourned the fact that, for the “second time in eight years,” there would be “no female president,” writing that “for many American women... it was a defeat infused with bitterness and despair.”
The Wall Street Journal (Center) posted a balanced mixture of photos of people celebrating and mourning their candidates’ respective win and loss.
Breitbart (Right bias) highlighted what it called "useless" celebrity endorsements of Harris.
The Atlantic (Lean Left) highlighted a quote from a staff writer saying Election Day was a "grim day."
The print cover of Newsweek (Center) showcased Trump looking dapper.
The Guardian (Lean Left) focused on identity characteristics that constituted “historic firsts” in the US election, highlighting the first openly trans Congressperson, Maryland’s first black female Senator, and more. The post ended with calling Trump the “first convicted criminal to win the White House.”
The New York Times (Lean Left) portrayed Trump’s win as ominous, pairing a photo of Trump looking authoritative with the message “Trump Storms Back” and calling his campaign “dark and defiant" in the caption.
The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) went with a Trump quote calling the election a “historic realignment” in favor of “the party of common sense.”
Reuters (Center) highlighted Trump's plans on trade policy, climate change and illegal immigration with a skeptical slant, saying he has “not ruled out setting up internment camps” and highlighting “critics” who say his tariffs would lead to “higher prices and global economic instability.”
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Julie Mastrine is the Director of Marketing and Media Bias Ratings at AllSides. She has a Lean Right bias.
This piece was reviewed by Evan Wagner, News Editor and Product Manager (Lean Left bias) and Clare Ashcraft, Bridging Coordinator and Media Analyst (Center bias).