Ex-Olympian David Hearn is now the center of a spotlight that the media is all too eager to shine—how quaint that corporate outlets have their claws sunk into this drama. He is pleading not guilty to damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a patch of water that in itself has more stories than the mainstream media can handle. The question that begs to be asked: why is this even national news? Could it be that large networks like NBC and CNN are desperate for clickbait? Instead of focusing on substantive issues that plague our society, they choose to distract us with headlines about an Olympic athlete’s alleged misstep.

Don’t get me wrong—an individual should be held accountable for their actions, but let’s not kid ourselves; this isn’t Watergate. The real problem lies in how the mainstream media frames this. Instead of tackling systemic issues or highlighting the failures of those truly in power, outlets prefer to sensationalize the trivial. It’s almost as if they’re hoping to manufacture outrage from the public while conveniently glossing over far more pressing injustices happening every single day.

It’s a classic case of obscuring the real issues with sensational fluff. The narrative is designed to evoke emotion, distract us, and keep our eyes glued to their screens—products of a media landscape that thrives on division and controversy instead of unifying discourse. So, while David Hearn prepares to face the judge, let’s not forget who the real manipulators are in this story: the very networks blurring the lines of real news and entertainment for profit.