The relationship between Hollywood and the government has historically been a cozy one, despite what revisionist history about McCarthy would have you believe.
Your favorite action movies are essentially recruitment films for the military, and shows like Veep do the same for government jobs.
Hollywood rewards DC by funding politicians, and politicians provide unfettered access to Hollywood. Everyone wins and goober politicians get to pretend to be cool.
In this game, Republicans have elected celebrities who want to be politicians (Reagan, Trump) while Democrats have elected politicians who want to be celebrities (Clinton, Obama).
The Bushes were a weird anomaly in this formula – elites who want to be average people.
Going into office, Biden had more on-camera experience than all the Democratic candidates combined, including cameos on Law & Order and Parks and Rec.
The line was blurred further with the discovery this week that major White House events aren’t even being broadcast from the Oval Office, Press Room, or one of the dining rooms – not even from The White House itself.
Early in the Biden administration, a White-House-style set was built in the Executive Office Building across the street from the White House.
There’s been no official explanation for this, and no one’s thought to ask the Biden administration why it’s necessary.
Politifact finger-wags at anyone who dares question the use of a soap opera set for official White House business, while guessing its usage is to accommodate more people.
It’s bigger than the White House press room where the press secretary’s daily briefings are held, so it’s better suited to some events.
some numbnuts at Politifact
That claim doesn’t hold up.
The East Room of the White House is nearly 3000 square feet, playing host to over a dozen weddings and funerals. It’s where President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden and joint press conferences are held with visiting state dignitaries – often including double the typical amount of press.
Instead, the Biden administration has turned the aesthetic of the White House into a cheap Zoom background.
Critics derided Trump for having a reality show presidency.
But Democrats are thrilled with The White House becoming The West Wing, complete with people walking down endless hallways and Sorkin dialogue.
And the transformation to Executive Dementia Community is complete.