International, Media, PoliticsFebruary 26, 2026
“You’re Not Alone”: Reporters Comfort Those Triggered and Traumatized by Scenes of Patriotism
This week, most Americans found a moment of rare unity in our pride over the performance of our athletes in the Winter Olympics. After years of rage politics, there was a brief respite as we joined in cheering our team in representing the United States in Milan and Cortina. Well, most of us. Some in the media found the entire demonstration of patriotism to be intolerable and triggering. What is striking is how this aversion to our flag and country was so openly expressed in major media.
Yesterday, the nightmare continued for some on the left who were traumatized by seeing the American flag and open displays of patriotism. Jack Hughes, one of the heroes of the gold medal hockey game, returned to New Jersey to play and was met with cheers of “USA, USA” and a sea of American flags. Hughes immediately called his Olympic teammate Tage Thompson of the visiting Buffalo Sabres to the ice to join him. The two skated arm in arm as the crowd celebrated them and our country.
It was another unifying moment for the country. The fans joined arm in arm to relish this moment for the nation.
These scenes are clearly having a different impact on some on the left.
https://jonathanturley.org/2026/02/26/youre-not-alone-media-explore-how-seeing-american-flags-or-patriotic-displays-trigger-feelings-of-guilt-despair-shame-anger/#more-241343
