George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 61

‘Wasn’t this controversy supposed to explode in 2003?’

The Michael Jackson child molestation controversy initially arose in 1993 when he sued ‘Evan Chandler’ for extortion. Evan Chandler demanded $20 million from Michael Jackson, alleging sexual assault of his stepson, ‘Jordan Chandler,’ leading Michael Jackson to file a lawsuit against Evan Chandler.

Of course, the allegations were demonstrably false and motivated by greed, resulting in Michael Jackson’s acquittal due to lack of evidence.

Michael Jackson was deeply hurt at the time, as Jordan Chandler, whom he considered a friend, had given false testimony. However, it was understood that Jordan Chandler had been coerced into making these statements by his parents.

The initial controversy subsided, but Michael Jackson faced similar accusations a decade later. In 2000, a visit to a boy named ‘Gavin Arvizo’ sparked a second wave of controversy.

While the family was the source of the problem in the first instance, the media played a significant role this time. In 2002, a documentary was filmed, and during the editing process, Michael and Gavin were maliciously portrayed to suggest inappropriate behavior. Beyond mere editing, words were fabricated, constituting a deeply unethical act.

Gavin’s family later recanted, alleging sexual abuse, possibly enticed by financial gain. However, these claims, like those in 1993, proved baseless.

The Michael Jackson child molestation controversy persisted even after his death in 2009 from a drug overdose administered by Dr. Murray, and resurfaced with new allegations in 2019, a decade later.

‘History is changing. In a direction I don’t know… Is it?’

This line, reminiscent of an alternate history novel Kim Gap-hwan had read, felt apt despite its cliché nature. This time, the Michael Jackson child molestation controversy wasn’t triggered by a fabricated documentary, as Kim Gap-hwan remembered.

‘Is there really such a thing as fate?’

Bush pondered this because, despite the change in medium, the key players remained the same. The Gavin family was again the accuser, and Martin Bashir was again the media figure behind the allegations. However, instead of a ‘documentary,’ this time it was a ‘maliciously edited video’ piecing together Michael Jackson’s statements and the Gavin family’s testimonies.

「The Michael I know would never do such a thing. The police will thoroughly investigate this, and anyone found guilty as a result of the investigation will face severe consequences.」

In essence, this meant mobilizing every available legal avenue to pursue all applicable charges, including false accusations, and seeking the maximum possible sentence.

Bush, fully aware of the situation, was immediately incensed and publicly defended Michael Jackson.

However, what truly enraged him wasn’t Martin Bashir’s poorly edited video, but the media’s eagerness to sensationalize gossip without verifying the facts. While he was certainly angry at Martin Bashir, he was even more furious with the media’s irresponsible behavior.

“Mr. President, with the exception of Fox, news outlets are inundating the airwaves and internet with articles criticizing your defense of Michael Jackson.”

Some media outlets adopted a cautious approach, but most boldly condemned President Bush’s hasty remarks with sensational and provocative language. However, he remained unfazed, as he had anticipated this reaction.

What surprised Bush was the significantly larger number of Michael Jackson supporters compared to what Kim Gap-hwan remembered. Michael Jackson already possessed a strong core fanbase, often being referred to as the Black Jesus, and the endorsement from a president with an approval rating exceeding 85% acted as a powerful form of validation.

Since September 11th, Bush’s populist policies, such as rebuilding the New Orleans levee, redeveloping public housing, and increasing disaster and fire budgets, had proven surprisingly effective. His fearlessness, which some might perceive as rudeness, resonated particularly well with certain demographics.

Texas, known for its extreme machoism, exhibited near-riotous levels of support. These were individuals who considered wine-drinking effeminate and believed men shouldn’t be involved in childcare. Bush, with his unconventional diplomatic maneuvers, embodied their ideal leader – a realistic compromise. This led to a phenomenon bordering on worship.

The media criticized this, claiming it was blinding the public. And there was some truth to this, as the president, who should maintain neutrality, had taken a direct stance.

“But you guys have no right to say that.”

That’s what he thought.

“It was a somewhat rash action.”

‘Well, if I defend him without knowing the situation, people around me would be puzzled. But in the end, it was all slander and he was innocent.’

“Since the United States is a country of law, I have no intention of influencing individual judgments based on my feelings. But I’m a little angry at those bug-like media.”

The American media has always been driven by profit and self-interest. The concentration of news outlets in the hands of a few large corporations further exacerbated the problem. If Bush were to act decisively, he could potentially leverage the entire administration to nullify the trial. However, he refrained from doing so because it was clearly illegal. He could have justified it under the single executive theory [a legal theory arguing for broad presidential power], but that would set a dangerous precedent.

The presidency isn’t a position where one can simply act on impulse and then step down. Decisions must be made with the understanding that future presidents might abuse the same powers.

“They want to fight with me?”

“As you know, if you touch the media, your approval rating may plummet.”

“Chief of Staff, are you afraid of the media?”

“Yes, I am afraid. Very much.”

The Chief of Staff, who typically catered to Bush’s mood, expressed his honest opinion this time. In the 21st century, the media represented the voice of the people, a force that politicians always feared. Politicians who disregarded the media invariably faced downfall.

The Chief of Staff, driven by his own ambition for recognition, couldn’t afford to ignore the media’s influence.

“I see. I’m not afraid at all.”

Bush scoffed. Weren’t his past actions indicative of fearlessness? Had he ever hesitated to act? He enjoyed the power of the presidency, but he wasn’t obsessed with preserving it.

“I’ll say it again. I don’t need ‘that kind of country’ that allows innocent people to suffer for money.”

The Chief of Staff’s mouth felt parched. The more he swallowed, the drier his tongue became, and the saliva felt scalding as it went down, as if he were swallowing the sun. His body, already under immense stress, was beginning to exhibit signs of strain.

“I thought you were joking back then.”

“You claimed you didn’t hear it, but you heard it perfectly well.”

The Chief of Staff sighed inwardly. A torrent of thoughts raced through his mind. They say that as you age, you value honor more than wealth, and the Chief of Staff was a prime example of this.

However, there was only one question the Chief of Staff could ask.

“Then what are you going to do?”

Even though the outcome seemed bleak, he was fulfilling his duty as Chief of Staff.

“If they distribute fake news, they should be imprisoned and fined. We must enact a law requiring them to issue corrections.”

“There will be significant opposition in Congress.”

“Oh, really? Then tell me what the media does. No! I’ll tell you myself! Public opinion formation, information delivery, entertainment provision, environmental monitoring, agenda setting!”

Bush, unable to contain his excitement, leaped from his chair. The Chief of Staff felt that Bush, already a tall man, appeared even larger today.

“Tell me if the current media fulfills even one of these five functions besides ‘entertainment provision.’”

“I think you’re exaggerating. There are also normal reports.”

That was true to some extent. But Bush knew that in just a few years, sophisticated synthesis programs, indistinguishable to the average person, would be developed. These programs would soon surpass mere editing and venture into the realm of creation. Fake news would become increasingly sophisticated. He feared the consequences of inaction.

“Can news that prioritizes profit over truth be considered news?”

“But there are significant problems that will arise if we restrict the media, which is at the forefront of freedom.”

There were indeed many potential issues. Most notably, the government could gain the ‘power’ to restrict and censor news based on its own preferences, effectively silencing the voice of the people. This also meant that the president or Congress could wield ‘unlimited power’.

Furthermore, how would one differentiate between truth and falsehood? Ultimately, the existing problem of fake news would simply morph into speculative fake news.

“I know. But beyond that, the greater sin is recognizing the evil, possessing the power to stop it, and choosing not to act!”

Bush, genuinely enraged, swept the items off his desk. Pens worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and highly confidential documents lay scattered on the floor, disregarded. Had Bush ever displayed such anger since assuming the presidency?

If the president was determined, he could find alternative means to restrict the news. Money and lobbyists held sway in America, but ultimately, the will of the president and Congress dictated the country’s course.

Why is the media so feared? Because it possesses the power of propaganda, capable of influencing the populace. The people influence politicians, and politicians influence the country. Therefore, if the media is corrupt, politicians are also corrupt, and consequently, the country suffers.

“News must focus on reporting rather than commentary.”

Christophe made this statement in 2016, criticizing the media during the presidential election. Bush quoted it because he believed it was the most accurate assessment. And it was true. Uninteresting news is a disservice, but sacrificing truth for entertainment transforms it into something other than news. It becomes malicious entertainment, the kind readily found in genre novels.

“Then how are you going to pass the law? Ultimately, a law is only effective when it is passed by Congress and has administrative power.”

“It’s simple.”

Bush, his anger subsiding, settled back into his seat. The high-end chair, worth thousands of dollars, emitted an unpleasant metallic creak under the strain.

“You just have to ignite the public’s sense of justice.”

People are most confident when they believe they are in the right.