The semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of America—is supposed to be a unifying moment for a nation, yet we find ourselves mired in controversy, largely thanks to President Trump’s alleged attempts to steer the celebrations. You can bet that mainstream giants like CNN are lapping this story up, twisting it into yet another sensationalist narrative painting Trump as the ultimate villain. They thrive on division, folks. It’s their bread and butter.

Meanwhile, Fox News can’t resist flipping the script and turning Trump into a martyr for “patriotic values,” glossing over the fact that selective celebration of our nation’s history comes with its own set of problems. When they do cover the controversy, they shoehorn in the narrative that “Of course, the left should be all for this!” as if the left doesn’t have legitimate concerns about honoring historical figures with grotesque legacies. It’s a distraction tactic, pure and simple.

Across the board, both narratives ignore a crucial point: the celebration is meant for all Americans, not just a select few vying for political gain. Our media landscape is fraught with manipulation, and they’re more interested in clicking than connecting. Instead of asking critical questions—like whether we can genuinely celebrate our history without bypassing its painful truths—they’re busy rebranding Trump as some kind of historical hero.

The bottom line? Don’t let the media circus cloud your judgment. This is about our shared history, flaws and all, and it deserves better than the clashing narratives being fed to us.