For the past four decades, most Americans have held the belief that news organizations’ criticism keeps political leaders in check, as if it were a deeply ingrained conviction. However, this belief seems to be as fickle as the political winds when the presidency changes hands. Republicans, particularly after the election of Donald Trump, have become deeply skeptical of the media’s so-called ‘watchdog’ role. This change is reminiscent of the ever-changing political landscape in Washington. As for media fairness, it seems that only a few Americans believe that the media can be truly unbiased, with most harboring suspicions of bias, and Republicans appearing more likely to think the media leans towards the side they don’t favor. Such survey results, rather than reflecting on the media, seem more like a reflection of the political spectrum.