CBS News (White House and senior foreign affairs correspondent) said a few days ago that Trump is backing down from his promises to ban all muslims from the US, and a bunch of other stuff that Trump didn't say. I searched for the video, but couldn't find it. (I heard it on the radio.) She is representative of what I see happening all over the mainstream media. Trump said "Islamist," and the media hears "all of Islam." Trump sais "Syria," and the media hears "all Muslims."
When Trump says we should fight Islamists, and ban Islamists from immigrating, how much do we blame his political opponents for pushing a narrative that he wants to ban all Muslims, etc.? If he really didn't say the stuff, but the Left did, can we really hold Trump responsible? I understand that the Left is seeking short term domestic political gains by fanning fears by misconstruing what Trump says he wants to do and is likely to do. And, I also understand that Trump is not a lawyer or politician, and doesn't parse his words well, but the Left then pretends his mistatements are true, and trumpets them as if they are true to fan the fear, thereby mobilizing their base. But, do they bear any responsibility if people are radicalized as a result?
{Thought I'd throw in at least one use of "narrative" for MAS.}