Democratic countries are sometimes perceived as weak, because the leader of the nation has limited powers. It was important for USA to show USSR that Kennedy has a full public support and can (and will) do whatever is necessary given the circumstances. In order to do this press was convincing people that Cuba is an immediate threat to United States, and that people should wholly support their leader. This way Khrushchev knew that Kennedy wont back down due to public opinion.
The press, particularly through yellow journalism, significantly influenced American support for the war in Cuba by sensationalizing events and portraying the Spanish as oppressors. This manipulation of public sentiment, especially following the USS Maine explosion, created a strong call for intervention, culminating in the Spanish-American War. Influential newspaper owners like Hearst and Pulitzer led this campaign, effectively shaping public opinion during a critical time in U.S. history.
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