The Fourth Estate Season 1 Episode 3 American Carnage

The Fourth Estate season 1 episode 3, titled "American Carnage," takes viewers inside the newsroom of The New York Times during the Trump presidency. As Trump's first State of the Union address approaches, the Times staff is grappling with how to cover an administration that has declared war on the media.

The episode begins with executive editor Dean Baquet addressing the staff in a morning meeting. He reminds them that they are not the opposition party, but they must also hold the administration accountable. As one reporter puts it, "There's a difference between being the opposition and being oppositional."

As the Times prepares for the State of the Union, tensions between the administration and the media continue to escalate. Trump had already declared the media "the enemy of the American people," and calls his first year in office the "most successful first year in the history of the presidency."

But as the Times begins to investigate the administration's policies and actions, they uncover a disturbing trend: the dismantling of government agencies and programs designed to help the most vulnerable Americans. Reporter Eric Lipton uncovers the closure of an office responsible for preventing waterborne illnesses, while Nicholas Casey reports on the administration's changes to the Affordable Care Act that will leave millions uninsured.

Meanwhile, the Times is also grappling with how to cover Trump's Twitter feed, which has become a primary source of news for millions of followers. Reporter Maggie Haberman explains that the president's tweets often serve as a distraction from more substantive issues, but they can't be ignored entirely.

As the State of the Union approaches, the Times prepares a live fact-checking event in collaboration with Facebook. The event is a chance for viewers to get real-time information about the claims Trump makes in his speech, and to hold him accountable for any falsehoods.

The episode ends with the Times continuing to navigate the challenges of covering a president who has declared war on the media. As Baquet tells his staff, "We're in uncharted territory." The paper's mission, as always, remains to hold the powerful accountable and serve as a watchdog for the American people.

Overall, "American Carnage" offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the media is grappling with the Trump presidency. It highlights the challenges of covering a president who routinely attacks and undermines the press, and the importance of holding power accountable in a time of great political turmoil.