Oh look! Time for another presidential press conference!
Because the media won't acknowledge it themselves, Trump just showed a video laying out the timeline of his administration's action on coronavirus and made the media sit through it in the briefing, watching their own networks' words.
Savage. pic.twitter.com/03ND2iahOK
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 13, 2020
At his daily combative press briefing to address COVID-19 issues, President Donald Trump played video clips highlighting media voices that affirm his coronavirus response timeline claims.
It was an unusual pushback against the daily hostility media and Trump sling at each other.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2020
Fascinating theater. As expected, the media was not pleased. CNN called Trump’s truth reel propaganda even though it contained their own product.
Let’s get one thing straight. @realDonaldTrump didn’t have a meltdown. The media had a meltdown in response to being shown the truth. Thrown right in their face might I add. Personally, I thought it was brilliant. #cnnmeltdown https://t.co/HrMPMdgt1N
— Rebecca Prate 🇺🇸 (@RebeccaPrate) April 14, 2020
Headlines dabbled in hysteria.
It was a brilliant move to thwart a nearly constant media drumbeat claiming Trump administration incompetence in handling the pandemic.
However, Trump’s ubiquitous critics are able to post their own video in response.
More of the same ole blame game.
Smoke & mirrors won't work; the footage & data are THERE FOR ALL TO SEE.
You blew it. Everything you do/say is driven by your own personal, economic, or political benefit. PERIOD.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/GgbGP7cxT7
— Sally Deal (@SallyDeal4) April 14, 2020
A day earlier, media went crazy over a Trump re-tweet the included a #FireFauci hashtag. Dr. Anthony Fauci was on a Sunday morning political show where he referenced “pushback” among experts and Trump administration officials managing the COVID-19 strategies.
Fauci clarified his use of “pushback” and was irked that a media follow up questioned his independence.
.@CBSNews' Paula Reid after Dr. Anthony Fauci clarifies remarks made in weekend interview: "Are you doing this voluntarily?"
Dr. Fauci: "Everything I do is voluntarily. Please. Don't even imply that." https://t.co/OoYDesvZU4 pic.twitter.com/nGy1L0WyJA— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 13, 2020
The same battle plays out in virtually every Trump press conference. Aggressive questioning – often blurted in the middle of a Trump response – escalates tensions unlike anything witnessed during previous presidential administrations.
Imagine a media person shouting down Barack Obama. Heresy! Try to find critical reporting of Barack Obama the man, not the Obama administration, but Obama personally. It’s rare earth.
2009 White House Correspondents Dinner: “I am Barack Obama. Most of you covered me. All of you voted for me.” (uproarious laughter and applause)
With Trump, the dominant media culture plays the same song in every newscast. What is Trump for? Whatever it is…I’m against it!
Trump bulldozes through media “accountability” questions that were never asked of his predecessor. That says that there is a predetermined narrative in the dominant media culture. Want proof? Tell a media person that they sound pro-Trump on the air (or in print) and watch them lose their mind as they disabuse that notion.
Trump also claimed, incorrectly, that he has the ultimate power to determine when individual states can re-open for regular business. The United States Constitution begs to differ. Governors have final say on matters affecting their particular state, commonwealth, or territory.
The same CBS reporter who went full Karen on Fauci and Trump just asked:
"Why are there no consequences for China, for the misinformation?"
TRUMP: "How do you know there are no consequences? I wouldn’t tell you. You would be the last person on Earth I would tell."
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Yu8l0unlTu
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 13, 2020
Note how many times you’ve seen media reports highlighting contradictions in safety claims made by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Crickets.
This is such a foolish attack to attempt for @SpeakerPelosi. pic.twitter.com/hY0377mxAq
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) April 14, 2020
Eating one’s words is not a delicacy for Trump, Pelosi, or self-proclaimed impartial media egos. The problem is that digital recordings last forever.
New SuperCut: FLASHBACK: Watch the Media Downplay the Coronavirushttps://t.co/Iv5mTYmmse pic.twitter.com/idNyJsXY3x
— Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) April 1, 2020