Exploring ‘The Most American Thing’ with Journalists

Enjoying a leisurely Sunday? Whether you’re recovering from a celebration or simply relaxing, dive into the semiquincentennial edition of the Flashback quiz. It promises more challenges than usual.

The regular Morning update will return tomorrow to provide all the latest news.

This weekend’s special edition of ‘The Morning’ titled ‘U.S.A. at 250’ was prepared by Jodi Rudoren. She presents a collection of thoughts from journalists on what they consider quintessentially American.

In today’s episode of ‘The Daily’ podcast, about two dozen journalists tackle a complex question: What’s the most American aspect of their beat?

“It’s a trap,” warns a books editor. A pop music critic describes it as an “absurdist project.”

Many answers reflect traditional views: Aaron Copland’s music, a Walt Whitman poem, and Olympic gold victories by U.S. hockey teams. Others are unconventional, possibly controversial. These include Bama Rush, liquid rocket fuel, and demolition derbies.

Jon Caramanica, of ‘Popcast,’ considered simple options such as tracks by Jay-Z, Paul Simon, or Barry Manilow. Instead, he chose “Trump Trump Baby,” an anthem by a rapper known as “the Mayor of MAGAville.”

“I don’t know if this song is good — it’s probably not,” he states, “but this is something that could only exist in the current version of America that we have. America isn’t only what you look at and what you listen to. It’s what you avert your eyes from.”

The discussion highlights varied choices: horror films, workout clothing, the Grand Theft Auto video game series, and The Beast roller coaster in Ohio.

Technology journalist Kevin Roose mentions Amazon Prime, noting, “It is based on a fundamentally American premise — that people want things fast, cheap, and all the time.”