@nicholasgrossman.bsky.social re: Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social)

Posted by @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social • Oct 20, 2025

A few people in colonial costumes complaining about immigrants was novel to NYT editors. Their friends don't do that. A running narrative would be exciting, especially after Obama won big.

Millions rallying against Trump's authoritarian abuses? Bor-ring. NYT editors have heard that argument before.

Posted by Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) • Oct 20, 2025

Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.

Check out how tiny the crowds were:

Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000

Tax protesters of all ages made their way near the White House during a tea party rally in Washington on Wednesday.

Tax Day Is Met With Tea Parties (Published 2009)

The government deadline for filing income tax returns offered some Americans a timely excuse to vent their frustrations over the sagging economy.

The New York Times • Liz Robbins