Trump criticizes ‘fake media’ on Flynn story
ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Donald Trump calls out to the media after escorting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his car to depart the White House today.
NEW YORK >> President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on the “fake media” today but the media was fighting back, objecting to a presidential news conference that avoided tough questions and, in the case of one MSNBC program, banning presidential aide Kellyanne Conway from the air.
Trump tweeted and voiced complaints about the media’s treatment of his ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn and the “criminal” leak of details on Flynn’s discussion with Russians. Flynn is out after less than a month, with White House saying Trump lost confidence in him for misleading Vice President Mike Pence about talks with the Russian ambassador.
The president held a news conference prior to meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As he did during the past week following meetings with leaders of Canada and Japan, Trump called on reporters from friendly news outlets.
Today, he chose David Brody, a columnist for the Pat Robertson-founded Christian Broadcast Network, and Katie Pavlich, editor of the conservative web site townhall.com.
Brody invoked Flynn, asking if the national security job vacancy would affect the administration’s attitude toward the U.S. nuclear deal with Iran. Trump used that question to complain about unfair media treatment of Flynn. He blamed people upset with his victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton for being responsible for media leaks.
Pavlich asked Trump about compromises he would seek from Israel and the Palestinians to achieve peace.
The questions left other reporters frustrated by a lost opportunity to ask about reports that the Trump campaign had been in contact with Russian officials before his election. Trump smiled and walked away when one reporter shouted out if he could ask about Flynn.
“I wanted to jump up and say, ‘You fired him. Why did you fire him?’” said ABC News’ Jonathan Karl.
CNN’s Jim Acosta said the administration was clearly trying to avoid questions, adding that Trump could “only be shielded for so long.”
Conway, meanwhile, won’t be answering questions on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” program, at least for a while. Show co-host Mika Brzezinski said today that Conway wouldn’t be allowed on the three-hour public affairs program, which has had a love-hate relationship with Trump over the course of the campaign.
Brzezinski said she won’t book Conway, “because I don’t believe in fake news or information that is not true. Every time I’ve seen her on television, something’s askew, off or incorrect.”
It’s been a rough stretch for the presidential counselor. She said on MSNBC Monday that Trump had “full confidence” in Flynn, hours before he lost his job. A government ethics panel urged the White House to discipline her for urging Fox News Channel viewers to buy Ivanka Trump’s products. NBC’s Matt Lauer admonished her, “Kellyanne, that makes no sense,” during a “Today” show interview on Tuesday.
Then there was Kate McKinnon’s portrayal of an unhinged Conway on “Saturday Night Live.”
CNN said last week that it had turned down a chance to book her on Jake Tapper’s Feb. 5 program because she had credibility issues; Conway has said she told them she was unavailable that day. Tapper then interviewed Conway on his weekday program two days later, although she hasn’t been on the network since. The White House has banned its officials from appearing on the network.
NBC News said Brzezinski’s statement reflected the views of one program, not the network as a whole. The decision is potentially confusing for both viewers and NBC executives, said Mark Feldstein, a journalism professor at the University of Maryland. What are viewers to think if a source is deemed not credible enough to be on one show but appears on the same network three hours later?
While she wasn’t on “Morning Joe,” she was on NBC News’ higher-profile “Today” show on Tuesday.
She’s not the only Trump administration official who has clashed with the media over facts. Trump aide Stephen Miller was scolded by an angry George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday for not giving evidence to support a claim of voter fraud. White House press secretary Sean Spicer was criticized after his first White House briefing for giving untrue statements about the inauguration.
“Where do you stop?” Feldstein said. “Conway isn’t the only member of the administration who has a truth-telling problem. It starts at the very top. Can you stop putting Donald Trump on the air if what he says is false? You can’t. He’s the president of the United States.”
CBS News “Face the Nation” host John Dickerson, while emphasizing he’s not talking about the “Morning Joe” decision, said it’s important to get the administration’s views on the record, whether or not they prove accurate.
“Part of my job is allowing the administration to explain itself to people and not interrupt them so much they can’t ever get their point of view across,” Dickerson said. “They say what they believe, and then you interrogate them.”
He said he wished he could ask questions that came with a dose of the truth serum sodium pentothal “to get the perfect, truth-filled answers, but that is not going to happen.”
22 responses to “Trump criticizes ‘fake media’ on Flynn story”
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Mr. Trump has chosen to mount his attacks against: 1. The U.S. intelligence community 2. The news media and 3. The Judiciary
Three entities that can, individually, cripple the agenda of a President. He’s taking on all three, with a collapsing approval rating.
Even his supporters will sooner or later have to admit that Trump is a psychotic.
Unfortunately, trump’s followers will never do that. They will buy into his ridiculous assertions, even as they sink with him. The really unfortunate thing about all of this is that most of the republicans in congress don’t have guts to do what’s right. The rest are so giddy with the power they now wield that they refuse to cross the child who gave it to them.
IRT Klastri: The election of President Trump has definitely got the better of you and your Democratic party. You are definitely in no position to be calling any one psychotic especially President Trump so take a step back look in the mirror and you will see who truly is psychotic. Seek help before it is to late.
Ridiculous lies! Stoopid tweets! Bizarre conspiracy theories! Alternative facts! Ethical violations! Insider trading! Conspiring with Russians! Phantom wall! Unconstitutional travel ban! Disrespecting war heroes! Tax cheat! Adultery! Wife beating! Misogyny! Narcissistic personality disorder! 1-page limit on briefs! Looking for 3 million illegal voters!
Are Trump fans getting a wee bit worried?
No not at all, the person you are revering to did not get elected so I think the Hilliar fans are getting a little bit worried. So keep on spewing all your hatred it only strengthens President Trumps support base.
IRT MillionMonkeys: You can probably add bigotry, racism, functional illiteracy, and illegitimate so-called presidency to the list. I’m sure there will be more qualities to add in the coming days; heck it’s only been less than a month!
“Even his supporters will sooner or later have to admit that Trump is a psychotic.”
Aren’t you the same Klastri who was absolutely CERTAIN the Trump would NEVER be President?
My my my
And it’s no surprise that you would think that the prediction of an election is the same as basic observation of incompetence, lies and unconstitutional behavior.
You are certainly a Trump supporter!
There is a new face in politics. President Trump is doing exactly what he promised, changing the way Washington does business and the Democratic party and all its left wing radical supporters can not handle it. The hatred and evilness that the Democratic party enacts on our country and President Trump is disgusting. The so called party of compassion and caring for their fellow man are really starting to show their true colors it is like history repeating itself only this time instead of enacting hatred and violence towards the opposition for the loss of their slaves they are enacting hatred and violence toward the country and our President for the loss of their political power. It is amazing how one man took down the once most powerful party in America (I will give Obama a little bit of credit) and he did it by zeroing in on their weakness and that is their hatred and anger towards our country and its hard working citizens.
Keep trying. Sooner or later you’ll make sense with one of your comments.
Or maybe not.
The only reason they do not make sense to you is that you are blinded with so much hatred. Get some help before it is to late.
Your comments are just so sad.
Well said, Davcon.
Democrat Party frustrate-niks like Klastri – – with foam flecked muzzles from having chased their tails around tree after tree after tree – – STILL remain clueless as to the real meaning why Felony-Shrillary managed to lose an election Klastri et al assured us there was no way she could possibly lose.
They have seen nothing but gutless RINO’s for so long, they are taken completely by surprise at the arrival on scene of a Republican who actually LOVES the sting of battle and who has gone out of his way to make ALL the right enemies.
The have cremated and buried Trump so often for not heeding their “expert” advice – – only to be stunned when he arises from the crypt they have fashioned for him, he now most resembles the legendary phoenix arising from the ashes.
Given Klastri’s legal training that has so stultified his ability to devise or retain an original thought, don’t be surprised to find him wandering around this terra incognita absolutely clueless for the foreseeable future. “Getting it” is clearly not is his strong suite.
Changing the way Washington does business. By telling lies and more lies. Is that good or bad????
I think you misunderstood I wasn’t talking about HILLIAR.
I’ll help you out: The election is over (over two months ago!). There is no Hillary. NEVER MENTION THE CLINTONS AGAIN!
Now, can you explain whatever “interesting” thing Trump did today?
Golly wally, M e g a m o n k e y.
Felony-Shrillary’s loss of an election she could not possibly lose really got under your scales, eh?
Well said, Davcon.
Democrat Party frustrate-niks like Klastri – – with foam flecked muzzles from having chased their tails around tree after tree after tree – – STILL remain clueless as to the real meaning why Felony-Shrillary managed to lose an election Klastri et al assured us there was no way she could possibly lose.
They have seen nothing but gutless RINO’s for so long, they are taken completely by surprise at the arrival on scene of a Republican who actually LOVES the sting of battle and who has gone out of his way to make ALL the right enemies.
The have cremated and buried Trump so often for not heeding their “expert” advice – – only to be stunned when he arises from the crypt they have fashioned for him, he now most resembles the legendary phoenix arising from the ashes.
Given Klastri’s legal training that has so stultified his ability to devise or retain an original thought, don’t be surprised to find him wandering around this terra incognita absolutely clueless for the foreseeable future. “Getting it” is not is his strong suite.
Mrs. Clinton has nothing to do with this. She lost the election. I definitely underestimated the number of white supremacists, bigots and racists who would actually vote. The only comfort is that Mr. Trump received 3 million fewer votes than Mrs. Clinton. His constant lying about massive voter fraud has been an attempt by a profoundly mentally ill man to wipe away that stain in his mind. He can’t even win gracefully.
What this has to do with (which you cannot see) is that the Trump administration is a total disaster.
“I love Wikileaks”:Donald J Trump.
djt, how does it feel to be on the other side of leaks?
Anything that President Trump disagrees with or that cast him in a bad light he labels as “fake news”. It is based on emotional defensiveness and lacks any objective evaluation and appropriate response. His ongoing problem with being thin skinned and defensive, then lashing out and attacking the source will not lead to constructive dialogue, or cooperation to make America Great Again. Four years of this will not lead to a better America.