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President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested replacing briefings with press secretary Sean Spicer with "handouts" for media. (Image: Donkey Hotey/flickr/cc)
Because Accuracy 'Not Possible,' Trump Threatens to Halt Daily WH Briefings
President threatens to cancel press briefings after a day of conflicting reports from the White House
May 12, 2017
As the Trump administration continues to go off the rails, President Donald Trump on Friday morning threatened to "cancel all future 'press briefings'" after once again berating the so-called "Fake Media" and saying the expectation of accuracy from the White House was unrealistic.
The president's tweets about the press came after a day of tough reporting on his conflicting justifications for firing FBI director James Comey, and just ahead of a post threatening Comey.
\u201cThe Fake Media is working overtime today!\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590028
\u201cAs a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!....\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590340
\u201c...Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590856
Given Trump's previous animus toward the media, the tirade engendered predictable pushback from those unwilling to let the president threaten the fourth estate.
\u201cThomas Jefferson said "Our liberty depends on freedom of the press." The media does not work for you, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/OVvUtZBCYg\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1494592794
\u201cSee Trump run. \nTrump White House officials tell press false things.\nMedia reports them to public. \nTrump blames media. \nRun Trump run.\u201d— Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42 (@Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42) 1494593760
\u201cIt IS possible if a President 1) prioritizes honesty/accountability (even when it's hard) 2) hires and empowers aides committed to same https://t.co/XeI4GvrI49\u201d— Josh Earnest (@Josh Earnest) 1494592788
\u201cTrump has now called the press "the enemy of the people" and has suggested banning press briefings. This is scarily authoritarian.\u201d— Brian Klaas (@Brian Klaas) 1494591368
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
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Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
As the Trump administration continues to go off the rails, President Donald Trump on Friday morning threatened to "cancel all future 'press briefings'" after once again berating the so-called "Fake Media" and saying the expectation of accuracy from the White House was unrealistic.
The president's tweets about the press came after a day of tough reporting on his conflicting justifications for firing FBI director James Comey, and just ahead of a post threatening Comey.
\u201cThe Fake Media is working overtime today!\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590028
\u201cAs a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!....\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590340
\u201c...Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590856
Given Trump's previous animus toward the media, the tirade engendered predictable pushback from those unwilling to let the president threaten the fourth estate.
\u201cThomas Jefferson said "Our liberty depends on freedom of the press." The media does not work for you, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/OVvUtZBCYg\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1494592794
\u201cSee Trump run. \nTrump White House officials tell press false things.\nMedia reports them to public. \nTrump blames media. \nRun Trump run.\u201d— Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42 (@Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42) 1494593760
\u201cIt IS possible if a President 1) prioritizes honesty/accountability (even when it's hard) 2) hires and empowers aides committed to same https://t.co/XeI4GvrI49\u201d— Josh Earnest (@Josh Earnest) 1494592788
\u201cTrump has now called the press "the enemy of the people" and has suggested banning press briefings. This is scarily authoritarian.\u201d— Brian Klaas (@Brian Klaas) 1494591368
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
As the Trump administration continues to go off the rails, President Donald Trump on Friday morning threatened to "cancel all future 'press briefings'" after once again berating the so-called "Fake Media" and saying the expectation of accuracy from the White House was unrealistic.
The president's tweets about the press came after a day of tough reporting on his conflicting justifications for firing FBI director James Comey, and just ahead of a post threatening Comey.
\u201cThe Fake Media is working overtime today!\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590028
\u201cAs a very active President with lots of things happening, it is not possible for my surrogates to stand at podium with perfect accuracy!....\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590340
\u201c...Maybe the best thing to do would be to cancel all future "press briefings" and hand out written responses for the sake of accuracy???\u201d— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1494590856
Given Trump's previous animus toward the media, the tirade engendered predictable pushback from those unwilling to let the president threaten the fourth estate.
\u201cThomas Jefferson said "Our liberty depends on freedom of the press." The media does not work for you, @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/OVvUtZBCYg\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1494592794
\u201cSee Trump run. \nTrump White House officials tell press false things.\nMedia reports them to public. \nTrump blames media. \nRun Trump run.\u201d— Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42 (@Kevin Baron \ud83c\udf41\ud83c\udf42) 1494593760
\u201cIt IS possible if a President 1) prioritizes honesty/accountability (even when it's hard) 2) hires and empowers aides committed to same https://t.co/XeI4GvrI49\u201d— Josh Earnest (@Josh Earnest) 1494592788
\u201cTrump has now called the press "the enemy of the people" and has suggested banning press briefings. This is scarily authoritarian.\u201d— Brian Klaas (@Brian Klaas) 1494591368
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