Looking at the media coverage leading to and throughout President-elect Donald Trump’s massive electoral success Tuesday, I wonder if we are seeing — at least a little bit — the impact of politics rendered as entertainment and spectacle.

Former Trump press aide Erin Perrine touched on the point Tuesday during the chatty live election night special hosted by ex-NBC anchor Brian Williams on Amazon’s Prime Video. Perrine noted Vice President Kamala Harris may have spent too much time during the campaign focused on her opponent, making the election seem like a referendum on his personality.

“Not only are we a deeply divided nation, but we aren’t sure where we want to go directionally at this point,” Perrine said early in the evening, before the size of Trump’s victory was apparent. “It’s a policy versus personality conversation that voters are having with themselves.”

Williams’ election special itself seemed to reflect the turn toward spectacle, conducted from a studio set in Los Angeles with huge screens to display sweeping graphics, deploying the kind of technology used to film TV shows like Disney+’s The Mandalorian. They had no decision desk for calling vote projections — which kinda seems the point of live election specials — forcing the audience to focus on the entertainment of seeing big-name guests spar with each other while Williams cited results originally reported on other news platforms.

That turn toward entertainment benefits a candidate like Trump, who is an expert at building an image aimed at captivating and engaging people, using the news media as his messenger. Over his presidential campaign, there was plenty of coverage detailing what policies he proposed to advance in a second term — from extensive tariffs to mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.

But I suspect what really moves many Trump fans is his unique charisma, turning rallies into a display where he can say and do things which would typically end a conventional politician’s career. (Remember what he did with a faulty microphone at a recent rally?)

Helping him out are areas in media — and elsewhere — that pundit Matthew Sheffield has labeled “partisan ecosystems,” like Fox News Channel, Newsmax and conservative-friendly podcasters like Joe Rogan. Sheffield notes these corners of media can provide lots of important benefits to politicians: attacking political opponents, defending candidates’ behavior, keeping people loyal to the party and encouraging people who may feel negatively about the candidate to vote with the party.

It’s a media environment where politics is often presented as an entertaining spectacle, with amped-up conflict featuring distinct heroes and villains.

Over the past election season, my thoughts have turned many times to a legendary book, Neil Postman’s prescient 1985 analysis, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business — often used as a textbook in many media analysis and ethics classes. It argues a now-obvious idea: as entertainment becomes a larger element in news coverage, especially on TV, a political leader’s image and ability to entertain us may become more important than their actual policies or actions.

And creating a powerful image is what Trump has excelled at, from his earliest days decades ago building his persona as a real estate baron in New York, to his modern incarnation as a political strongman promising to impose his will on American society. His supporters find him entertaining and feisty; even critics who hate his policies or his demeanor find it difficult to avoid talking about him.

When Harris first stepped up to assume the Democratic nomination from President Joe Biden, it seemed she might have found a way to create her own spectacle — focusing the political conversation on her rapid rise, selection of a running mate, unique identity and the need to introduce herself to voters, despite serving as vice president for nearly four years.

Watching the sitting vice president navigate a wave of media interest that included memes after pop star Charli XCX declared “Kamala is brat” and suggestions she go on the celebrities-interviewed-while-eating-hot-wings YouTube show Hot Ones, you couldn’t escape the sense that Harris faced pressure to entertain the public while explaining why she should be elected president.

But that dynamic quickly changed again, as talk turned to the outrageousness of Trump’s actions — from using expletives to refer to Harris in speeches to presenting a rally in New York City featuring a comic who joked about Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” It seemed an extension of an ethic Trump developed long ago: That being talked about in the press is always better than not being talked about, even if people are mostly saying he’s terrible.

And the media elements connected to his effort — from selling keepsake Bibles to hawking Trump-centered NFT’s with gaudy images and appearing with popular podcasters like Rogan — kept the public focused on the GOP candidate’s outsized image.

Trump’s ability to yank back the spotlight persisted, even when Harris pulled off her own spectacles — like superstar endorsements from Beyoncé and an appearance on Saturday Night Live with her doppelganger, Maya Rudolph.

That kind of media ubiquity – where people are entertained and feel a connection to a big personality – doesn’t just excite supporters. It seems calculated to reach voters who are less involved in the political process, like undecideds and first timers. It also can make extreme policies seem more palatable, allowing supporters to shrug off or downplay Trump’s talk of prosecuting enemies or deporting masses of undocumented immigrants.

What once struck me about conservatism in a simpler time — say, the days of George W. Bush and Sarah Palin — was that the party developed a way of talking about the issues anyone could adopt, like learning a language. But Trump’s ability to leverage media attention as entertainment seems more unique to him — something that legendarily awkward figures like JD Vance and Ron DeSantis might have trouble re-creating, raising questions about how lasting the impact may be.

In the days and weeks to come, there will likely be a lot of columns like this, trying to make sense of a result that some didn’t see coming, and which heralds tremendous change for society and media.

But it may be wise to consider how the rise of politics as entertainment, and the media’s contribution to that ascent, has shaped the current social landscape.

Edited by Jennifer Vanasco. Web page produced by Beth Novey.

According to the census, nearly a third of Los Angeles residents are over 50. And we’re aging collectively — according to a Times report, L.A. County’s median age rose 2.6 years between 2012 and 2022.

Thankfully, L.A. is an enticing place to grow older, and not just because of the temperate climate. The city is one of the few municipalities in the world with a “purposeful aging” initiative (though the budget for senior programs will be reduced in 2025). It’s a place that understands that older Angelenos are our cultural core.

“Older people tend to be the holders of culture, of language, of sharing [these things], and so they’re always at the forefront of creating that experience for all of us,” says Dr. Laura Trejo, director of Los Angeles County’s Aging and Disabilities Department.

Which is why it’s so important for older Angelenos to have resources — and bounties — as they age. Here are some free (and almost free) services and experiences that older people have access to — and younger generations can hopefully look forward to.

50+

Crack open the books with free college classes

Whether you want to learn a new skill or just challenge yourself, community college classes are some of the best free resources for older Angelenos. Santa Monica College has been offering a free non-credit Emeritus program for 50 years, and Pierce College in Woodland Hills has a similar program called Encore. Both are set up for adults over 50 to audit a variety of classes from art and concert music to political science and occupational training. Los Angeles Community College also offers free non-credit courses for all adults.

UCLA’s Senior Scholars Program at Longevity Center isn’t free, but it offers the ability to audit one class for $175 and up to four classes for $625. UC Irvine has a similar program called the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that costs $25 in the summer, $160 per semester during the spring and fall, and $235 for the whole year and allows older adults to take unlimited classes.

Most of these programs also offer online classes, if that suits you best.

55+

Enjoy a free drink or cheap(er) food

A lot of fast food spots have discounts for seniors, but Dairy Queen and KFC go one step further, offering a free drink for adults 55 and up. Restaurants are a classic spot to find “senior discounts.” TheSeniorList, a website resource for older people, has a regularly updated list of restaurants that offer discounts and freebies, but perks may differ from location to location so call before you go. There are a ton of places that offer discounts for people over 55 — the best thing to do is ask.

60+

Come down with a case of senior-center-itis

Los Angeles County has a senior center geared for adults age 60-plus in nearly every neighborhood, and each of them has a slate of activities where older Angelenos can participate in everything from line dancing and jewelry-making classes to nutrition courses and pickleball. A full list of activities at L.A.’s senior centers can be found on the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website.

“In Los Angeles County, we have over 140 of them, so you’re not that far away from one of them,” says Trejo, who calls senior centers a “focal point” of the communities they serve.

62+

Reconnect with nature at our national and state parks

The United States Geological Survey offers a Lifetime Senior Pass that covers all of the national parks. This one isn’t technically free — it’s $80 plus about $10 in fees — but it’s a lifetime pass for the cost of a regular yearly pass. By that logic, after a year, it’s free. There are nine national parks in California, four of which — Joshua Tree, the Channel Islands, Sequoia and Death Valley — are within a four-hour drive from L.A.

What is free is the Golden Bear pass issued by California State Parks. For Californians over 62 and earning a monthly income below $1,677 (or $2,269 for the household), the pass allows for car access to most of the state’s 280 parks. This is the largest parks system in the country, so there’s plenty to explore. If you don’t meet the income threshold, there is a Limited Use Golden Bear pass that costs $20 and is only active during the offseason between Labor Day and the Friday before Memorial Day, but it beats the $195 annual pass younger Angelenos have to shell out.

Catch a flick

There aren’t any completely free movie screenings at the major cinema chains, but older adults can find discounts at most of them, including Cinemark theaters, where “senior day” tickets can be as low as $5 for people 62 and older. There are also plenty of film screenings at senior centers and, of course, since this is the city of cinema, there are free screenings all over the city at any given time.

Get around in style

Driving around L.A. can be terrible for people of any age. Great news, this isn’t the L.A. Metro you grew up with. The public transit system has had a serious makeover and is getting even more upgrades to cover more areas in the future. Lucky for Angelenos 62 and older because the city offers deep discounts and fare-capping, which means you’ll never pay more than $5 a week. Regular fares are discounted too, with single rides costing older Angelenos 75 cents during peak hours and only 35 cents per ride during off-peak hours.

“Plus, Metro has a program that helps older adults learn how to use it more effectively,” Trejo says. “So that’s another opportunity if people want to consider giving up their cars.”

65+

This sporting life

A golfer at the Wilson Golf Course, one of the L.A. city golf courses that offers discounts for older L.A. residents.

(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)

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Golfing is a long-standing tradition for older people. Maybe it’s the slow pace of the game or maybe it’s just an excuse to get outside with a group of friends. It’s rarely free, but if you’re savvy, you can play on one of the L.A. city golf courses for almost free. For Angelenos 65 and up, there’s a yearly fee of $28, and then you’ll pay green fees as low as $4.50 for a weekday round. Make sure to reserve a tee time, and get out there on the links.

Also, strength training has been linked to longevity, as The Times’ Deborah Vankin reported recently. You might be eligible for SilverSneakers, a program that has workouts like tai chi, Zumba and outdoor walking groups, as well as scores of live online classes. It’s free for older people on most health plans in California, and for people on Medicare Advantage.

And we’ve all heard about the rise of pickleball. It can be a great, free workout for older Angelenos who might not be up for a tennis match. Most of L.A.’s city courts are free to everyone.

Become a cultural maven by visiting L.A. museums for free

View from the balcony of the outer peristyle at the Getty Villa in Malibu.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Many L.A. museums offer free admission for everyone — the Getty Villa and the Getty Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the California Science Center’s permanent galleries, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Broad and the Hammer Museum — but some offer additional perks for older adults. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum are both free for L.A. County residents after 3 p.m. on weekdays, and both offer a discount for adults 65 and up with an ID during all open hours. The Norton Simon, the Academy Museum, the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, and the Craft Contemporary also offer discounts to older Angelenos.

Perks with no specific age requirement

Shhh! Your library card holds many secrets for seniors

The glass-roof atrium at the Los Angeles Central Library.

(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Libraries are one of the most powerful resources for anyone, let alone older Angelenos, but they remain a vital hub of our communities, particularly for our aging residents. I stopped by my local library recently — the Lincoln Heights Branch, housed in the beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival building funded by Andrew Carnegie in 1916 — which was filled with older Angelenos quietly reading or on the computer.

It’s no surprise, as the library is a friendly place for older people. For those with limited vision, the library is packed with large-print books. Looking to catch up to technology so you can keep in touch with loved ones? The library has tutorials on basic computer skills from Gmail to Instagram. And the library caters to homebound patrons with a program linking them with neighbors who can pick up and drop off materials.

Not only that, but your library card comes with a bevy of perks through the library’s Discover & Go program (have your library card handy to enter the site). On offer right now are four complimentary passes to the L.A. Zoo and Botanical Gardens, free tickets to select screenings at the Academy Museum (normally $10), and deeply discounted L.A. Kings tickets to select games.

“Your library card is worth its weight in gold these days because of the tremendous resources available at our libraries,” says Trejo.

What’s the 211?

211 LA is the city’s hub of resources for nonprofit services, connecting Angelenos with everything from suicide hotlines to nonprofits that will help them quit smoking. There’s a whole page called the Aging and Disability Resource Connection that helps older Angelenos find a caregiver, navigate health insurance and even offers legal services.

“When in doubt, reach out to 211,” Trejo says. “They are my partners. They are my information and referral provider for all of L.A. County. And they are actually there. They work with us. We train them, we share resources with them so that they’re always up to date on services and support available for older adults and their families.”

Stay connected

As we get older, keeping in touch with friends and loved ones seems to get more important, but it can come at a high cost. If you’re low income, that can be a burden. The state has a program called California LifeLine that offers low-income older people discounts on cellphones or home phones of up to $19 per month. That may or may not cover the whole bill, but it’ll help keep you in touch.

The entertainment industry is notorious for its mistreatment of child actors, but Saoirse Ronan says that wasn’t her experience. Maybe it was because her father was an actor, and her mother was there to protect her. Ronan says: “My mom and my dad always made me feel like, at its core, this should be fun. And as soon as it stops being fun, don’t do it anymore.”

Nominated for her first Oscar at just 13 for the 2007 film Atonement, the Irish actor says she was also “very lucky” to work with a string of supportive filmmakers when she was younger — including Peter Jackson, Peter Weir and Amy Heckerling.

“It was such an incredible environment to grow up in, where youth and innocence is sort of encouraged, in a way, and play is never forgotten about,” she says. “That’s really shaped who I am as an actor now.”

Ronan is currently starring in two films, Blitz and The Outrun. In the former, she plays a mother living in London with her young son and elderly father during the German bombing campaigns of World War II.

“Honoring the mother-child relationship was just something that I couldn’t really pass up,” Ronan says of Blitz. “I’m incredibly close to my own mother and we’ve spent a lot of time together where it was just me and her, so that dynamic is something that I’ve always wanted to bring to life on screen.”

The Outrun is based on the bestselling memoir by Amy Liptrot. Ronan plays Rona, a young woman whose life is derailed because of her addiction to alcohol. Rona makes several efforts to get sober before moving back to Orkney, Scotland, to help her father tend to his farm. In one scene, which Ronan describes as “the most insane experience I’ve ever had on film,” the character assists in the birth of a baby lamb.

“The really interesting and really humbling thing about it was that sheep don’t stick to a schedule,” Ronan says of the birthing scene. “And so we had to bend our shooting schedule to nature. I would get ready at, like, 4:00 a.m. We’d go into the shed and we would just wait and the camera would be ready to go.”

Interview highlights

On reading Amy Liptrot’s memoir The Outrun

I think it was the first time that I had been exposed to an addiction story that didn’t feel like it was all doom and gloom. And it allowed me to get to know the whole person. Amy Liptrot wasn’t defining herself by her addiction to alcohol, but was acknowledging that it played a huge part in her life and the destruction of her life for a long time. I was really drawn to the fact that we would follow a young woman as she struggles with alcoholism. I think that usually when you think of that as a story, you would imagine probably a man, middle-aged, or a woman who’s going through a divorce or she’s lost her family or there’s a domestic sort of element to it. And the fact that we were going to follow someone who, as bad as it sounds on paper, “shouldn’t” have this addiction and yet does, just reminds us of how this is something that can affect everyone.

On tackling the subject of addiction 

It is a particular topic that is very personal to me. It’s an addiction that I haven’t struggled with myself, but I’ve watched people very close to me struggle with it. And some of them have seen the light eventually and others have not — and that’s incredibly painful. And I think as someone on the receiving end of that, there’s a lot of anger and resentment that is born out of that experience because you’re not going through it yourself. You don’t understand or I certainly didn’t understand, really, how addiction works. … Unless you actually sit down to examine the effect that a substance is having on your brain, you don’t really take the time to unpick it because you’re so hurt by it and you’re so hurt that it has been chosen over you. So I think I spent a lot of my life carrying that around with me. But it was scary. … It just brought up a lot of pain for me, I suppose.

Saoirse Ronan plays a mother during World War II London in Blitz.

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On Steve McQueen’s WWII film, Blitz

I, of course, knew that it was going to be a sort of fresh take on a World War II British epic, but I didn’t know exactly how. And so when he started to explain to me that it would follow a mixed-race little boy … and that it would really focus on the people left behind, essentially the ones who had to keep society going, which was the women, children and older folk, it just piqued my interest straight away.

On her memorable first time on a movie set as a young child  

It was some film about the Troubles, of course, and there were lots of explosions. And we definitely went through a phase of that in Ireland. … I think that’s where I got my sort of mild tinnitus from. I still have a ringing in my ears and I think it’s from this. There was an explosion that happened … that they hadn’t prepared anyone for, and Dad ran for me and put his hands over my ears to protect them from this massive explosion that had gone off. And he always said, “I just don’t know if I got to you time,” because I’ve got a ringing in my ears right now, even as we speak to you. And he’s got really bad tinnitus because of it. So that’s my first memory of being on a film set. And I remember even though I was young, I was 5 or something. And even then I remember loving the atmosphere of the film. So I just loved how cool everyone was and how much fun everyone seemed to be having.

On feeling out of place both in the U.S. and in Ireland

I was born in the Bronx. I was there till I was 3. I always sounded Irish. I was only really surrounded by Irish people when I was there anyway. And then with two Dublin parents, I moved to the countryside and so still didn’t really fit in and was reminded of that quite a bit. And so I never really felt like I fully belonged anywhere — and I still don’t really. I think there’s parts of me that belong in different places. And I suppose the older I’ve gotten and the more people who have become a part of my bubble, they are my home. My partner is my home … and so it’s not site-specific. … What’s really great about being on the road from so young is that you can create a home for yourself anywhere. And you know what you need to feel safe and to feel and comforted. I think any actor, any filmmaker, any musician, I’m sure they become experts in setting up camp anywhere, really.

On working with filmmaker Greta Gerwig on Lady Bird and Little Women

Put simply, what I love and admire most about Greta is that she loves actors. She is not afraid of actors. She’s not intimidated by them. She knows how to handle them. She gives them support and structure, but also allows them to just play and be free. And it’s quite incredible how many directors can’t seem to do that. She enjoys being on set so much. She’s such a positive influence on all of us. And she has the most impeccable taste. And that girl will never stop working to make something better. She pays attention to every little detail without it feeling clinical. She actually put a line into Lady Bird where I think the nun in the movie says that the greatest form of love is to pay attention. … It’s the most beautiful line. And that is what Greta does. She pays attention. I’ve never met someone who is more genuinely interested by human nature and people, and I’ve never worked with anyone like her. And she always makes me better.

Lauren Krenzel and Anna Bauman produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Bridget Bentz, Molly Seavy-Nesper and Beth Novey adapted it for the web.