# Does Trump want to undermine the role of the press? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 19, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796 "2018-11-19T15:21:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/81 "2018-11-20T18:48:56Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Refusing to answer a question with regard to your plans or intentions is significantly more meaningful compared to refusing to answer a question about how racist or scared you are. If you don’t get that, then yes the disconnect is likely unbridgeable. > > You aren’t saying it but your position seems to defend “when did you stop beating your wife?” as a legit question. I’m sure LHoD thinks there’s many substantial ways to answer that question. No, I am not saying that, or anything close to that. Perhaps reacting to what people _actually_ say would be more to your advantage? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/82 "2018-11-20T18:50:26Z")
Uh huh. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/83 "2018-11-20T18:51:04Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Uh huh. I’m glad we agree. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/84 "2018-11-20T18:52:28Z")
I continue to wonder why **Czarcasm** is wound up so tight about this topic. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/85 "2018-11-20T18:58:04Z")
Some people just think the press isn’t doing their job if they aren’t getting all up in Trump’s face. They don’t care about the press having a professional workmanlike image. They want blood and if you don’t agree, you’re a Trump apologist. IMHO, that attitude aids Trump’s undermining the role of the press. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/86 "2018-11-20T18:58:41Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I continue to wonder why **Czarcasm** is wound up so tight about this topic. Your concern is so touching…but since I am not the topic of this thread, I think I’ll just leave you alone to deal with it. Buh Bye. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/87 "2018-11-20T19:00:27Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Some people just think the press isn’t doing their job if they aren’t getting all up in Trump’s face. They don’t care about the press having a professional workmanlike image. They want blood and if you don’t agree, you’re a Trump apologist. Takes two to tango-Any thoughts or concerns about _Trump’s_ role in making press briefings better? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/88 "2018-11-20T19:04:02Z")
Trump is an obnoxious dick in press conferences and unfit for the office. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/89 "2018-11-20T19:13:23Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Trump is an obnoxious dick in press conferences and unfit for the office. And he would still be a obnoxious dick if the White House press corp submitted pre-approved questions on lightly-scented stationery a month in advance, complete with apologies for wasting his valuable time…and yet you want to dwell on the people that are doing their best to get answers we need. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/90 "2018-11-20T19:48:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > And he would still be a obnoxious dick if the White House press corp submitted pre-approved questions on lightly-scented stationery a month in advance, complete with apologies for wasting his valuable time…and yet you want to dwell on the people that are doing their best to get answers we need. I guess this is hard to get through your head: Acosta was self aggrandizing and helping Trump ruin the press’s reputation. So maybe stop cheering him on. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/91 "2018-11-20T19:58:14Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I guess this is hard to get through your head: Acosta was self aggrandizing and helping Trump ruin the press’s reputation. So maybe stop cheering him on. And you seem to not be able to get into your head that Trump would be doing exactly the same thing regardless of anything Acosta did or did not do. Look how he talks to other reporters. What’s the difference? “Just be nice to the asshole” never works. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/92 "2018-11-20T20:11:10Z")
[From Vox](https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18104493/white-house-press-rules-acosta-ban-reporters-follow-up-questions)-the new White House press rules: (1) A journalist called upon to ask a question will ask a single question and then will yield the floor to other journalists; (2) At the discretion of the President or other White House official taking questions, a follow-up question or questions may be permitted; and where a follow up has been allowed and asked, the questioner will then yield the floor; (3) “Yielding the floor” includes, when applicable, surrendering the microphone to White House staff for use by the next questioner; (4) Failure to abide by any of rules (1)-(3) may result in suspension or revocation of the journalist’s hard pass. Yep-Acosta is certainly who we should be focusing on in this situation. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/93 "2018-11-20T20:25:30Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [From Vox](https://www.vox.com/2018/11/20/18104493/white-house-press-rules-acosta-ban-reporters-follow-up-questions)-the new White House press rules: > > (1) A journalist called upon to ask a question will ask a single question and then will yield the floor to other journalists; There ought to be a rule (1a) which says, the President will then answer that question or explain why he can’t or won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/94 "2018-11-20T20:30:31Z")
If you want to see how well a single question with no followup can go, see post #76. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/95 "2018-11-20T20:51:45Z")
BTW, if you want to know why Trump shouldn’t be allowed to deny followup questions, read the Vox article I linked to. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/96 "2018-11-20T21:12:12Z")
In the Acosta event under discussion, his second question cannot be reasonably characterized as a “follow up” question. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/97 "2018-11-20T21:17:52Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > You aren’t saying it but your position seems to defend “when did you stop beating your wife?” as a legit question. I’m sure LHoD thinks there’s many substantial ways to answer that question. :rolleyes: this is a shitty way to argue. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/98 "2018-11-20T21:24:40Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > In the Acosta event under discussion, his second question cannot be reasonably characterized as a “follow up” question. How the hell would we know? He never got to get either sentence out without interruption and insults from Trump. There is a rabid elephant in the room, and you seem obsessed with the mouse that is bothering it. _Acosta is NOT the problem here._ ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/99 "2018-11-20T21:26:24Z")
It’s the “just be nice to the asshole and he’ll stop being an asshole” theory. It doesn’t work. He’s not attacking the media because of anything they’ve done or said, he’s attacking them to hurt their credibility so his followers will not believe anything they hear. What questions were asked or what tone was taken had nothing to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/100 "2018-11-20T21:31:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Sure thing…and I’ll be sure to wait until your barn is burned to a cinder before letting you know your horses might be in danger. But you don’t call 911 because a guy ten blocks away lit a match just because the barn might burn. > [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m certain that the press can be undermined with steps short of kidnapping, murder, etc. Taking administrative steps to punish reporters for asking questions that the President doesn’t like is a perfectly valid description of “undermining the press.” If it happens a couple of more times in less clear circumstances I’d concurr. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=6)