Donald Trump on Tuesday went on a sustained frontal assault against the media during a contentious news conference.
The billionaire had called the news conference to announce an accounting of his at least $5.6 million in fundraising for veterans groups, but spent most of the 40 minutes criticizing and insulting reporters — collectively and at times individually — as “dishonest,” “not good people,” sleazy, and among the worst human beings he has ever met.
And he vowed the White House briefing room would be just as combative as the Trump Tower lobby, where the developer addressed reporters Tuesday, should he ascend to the Oval Office.
“Yeah, it is going to be like this,” Trump said when asked if this is how he would behave with the press as president. “You think I’m gonna change? I’m not gonna change.”
At one point, Trump fumed: “I’m the only one in the world who can raise almost $6 million for the veterans, have uniform applause by the veterans groups, and end up being criticized by press.”
“I think the political press is among the most dishonest people that I have ever met, I have to tell you. I see the stories, and I see the way they’re couched,” he added.
The news conference did not mark a radical departure from Trump’s relationship with the press, which has been strained throughout the brash mogul’s year-long campaign — but Tuesday was a surprise escalation, especially at a time when many supporters want him to start acting more presidential.
Over the last year, Trump has repeatedly called out individual reporters on Twitter and in interviews for everything from what he viewed as insufficient crowd camera shots to biased reporting. And attacking the press is a regular part of the presumptive Republican nominee’s stump speech, during which he typically rips reporters as “scum,” “slime,” “dishonest” and “disgusting” — often prompting jeers from the crowd.
The news conference came four months after Trump claimed to have raised $6 million for veterans groups, but then dodged reporters’ questions about which groups had received the donations.
Trump kicked off his litany of media attacks Tuesday by accusing reporters of cynically turning what should have been a positive story about his charitable work into a negative one.
Reporters had for months repeatedly asked Trump to provide an accounting of the donations, requests that were frequently rebuffed or side-stepped by Trump and his campaign staff.
Trump said Tuesday he didn’t “want the credit” for his fundraising, “but I shouldn’t be lambasted.”
Hillary Clinton later told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” that Trump did not deserve any credit for following through on his promise, arguing that he had only done so because of increased scrutiny of the donations from the media.
“Look, I’m glad he finally did it, but I don’t know that he should get much credit,” she told Tapper. “It took a reporter to shame him into actually making his contribution.”
The subject of the news conference quickly turned away from the veterans donations as Trump accused reporters of writing stories they “know” to be false, and of spinning the truth.
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http://www.marklevinshow.com/news/trump-...k-on-the-press/ ************ Look Donald Trump is going to call it as he sees it. If you behave like a scumbag in front of him, he's going to call you out on it. That kind of honesty is LONG OVERDUE!!! There is an elephant in the room. We all know it's in the room. Let's talk about what has gone wrong instead of pretending nothing has been lost or broken. By the way Hillary, Donald Trump doesn't need $6 million dollars like you do. TM
******* "I need some muscle over here!" Melissa Click
I find it a bit rich that Hillary gets to comment on Trump's charitable efforts, given that the MSM has shown more suppleness than a SLINKY in bending over backwards NOT to question her, her husband, or their precious daughter about their money laundering operation dba The Clinton Foundation.
Zitat“Yeah, it is going to be like this,” Trump said when asked if this is how he would behave with the press as president. “You think I’m gonna change? I’m not gonna change.”
Mr. Trump!
Oh how refreshing. It honestly wouldn't bother me a bit if Trump blocked all access from and to the Press and totally eliminated the White House Press Corp. All they do is lie and twist the truth anyways. As Hillary would say, "What difference does it make?"
I get my TV over the air. I often put on channel five in the morning to get the weather.
On Fox news OTA this morning the 'reporters' were all bent out of shape. Juliette Huddy kept blathering on about how identifying sleaze as sleaze was so demeaning.
FYI: if anyone wants to see the list of groups helped:
She ought to be thankful gramma isn't running for Prez. If it were up to me I'd order tar and feathers by the semi load full targeted specifically towards the Press EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY DISTORT THE TRUTH!
She wouldn't be worrying about being called a sleaze let me tell you!