Introduction

So, let's dive into this whole commencement speech saga, shall we? Picture this: It's May 19, and there's Scott Pelley, the former anchor of CBS Evening News, grabbing the mic at the Wake Forest graduation. Instead of just cheering the grads, he decides it’s the perfect moment to slam Trump and his policies. Talk about stealing the spotlight, right?

Political Commentary at Graduations

Fast forward a bit, and there's Christiane Amanpour at Harvard's Kennedy School, pitching a similar vibe. She's all like, 'Words are banned, journalists are being bullied, but hey, we won’t shut up. Surprise, surprise – not!'

A Trend Among Media Figures

It seems like this has turned into a bit of a trend among media bigwigs – using these graduation platforms to dish out their personal playlists of political views. Remember Ed Bradley at Benedictine University back in ’96? He took a swing at Reagan with a clever twist on his slogan, saying it’s more like a nightmare for many.

Notable Speeches Through the Years

Then we’ve got Helen Thomas in 2000, telling everyone to be lefty activists. In 2005, Tom Brokaw was all about saving the planet at another graduation speech. More recently, Arthur Sulzberger Jr. didn't miss his chance to lament about graduating in Bush's America – wars, oil policies, environmental fights, and all.

Controversies and Reactions

Oh, and it's not just about pushing agendas. With Trump in the picture, things got even spicier. Ken Burns’ speech at Stanford was basically a call to arms against Trump’s 'retrograde forces.' And if that wasn't enough, Christiane Amanpour, channeling her inner 1950s editor, suggested in 2019 that maybe it’s time to bring back some old-school media censorship to handle Trump.

Conclusion

Clearly, these media celebs have found their stage at commencements to broadcast more than just congratulatory messages. They’re stirring pots, shaping thoughts, and, let’s be real – sparking more than a few controversies. From accusations of turning these moments into personal political platforms to outright electioneering, it's been quite the show.