# 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:** 6
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/101 "2018-11-20T21:37:21Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > But you don’t call 911 because a guy ten blocks away lit a match just because the barn might burn. > > If it happens a couple of more times in less clear circumstances I’d concurr. What is your opinion of the new press rules? ---
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/102 "2018-11-20T21:37:40Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > 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. I know all that. I have no idea why you think anyone is blaming the media for how Trump acts in this thread. I am saying Acosta is playing into Trump’s narrative by getting into grandstanding arguments at press conferences. ---
**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, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/103 "2018-11-20T21:44:23Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I know all that. I have no idea why you think anyone is blaming the media for how Trump acts in this thread. I am saying Acosta is playing into Trump’s narrative by getting into grandstanding arguments at press conferences. Blaming Acosta for Trump’s actions is all you’ve been doing here. This thread is about what Trump is doing to undermine the press corps, and you keep doing the “Look-Over there. Acosta!!” dance. ---
**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, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/104 "2018-11-20T21:54:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Blaming Acosta for Trump’s actions is all you’ve been doing here. Lol. You are beyond hope. Good day, sir. ---
**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, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/105 "2018-11-20T21:58:28Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Lol. You are beyond hope. Good day, sir. Byeee. More from the article about the importance of followup questions: > [@](#): > > Fox News Radio’s Jon Decker’s string of follow-up questions during a briefing in September revealed that the White House had no legal basis for demanding the Department of Justice investigate the New York Times for its publication of an op-ed written by an anonymous administration official who portrayed Trump as unhinged and unfit to serve. Dogged questioning from Kristen Welker of NBC during Trump’s most recent news conference earlier this month shed light on how Trump is not taking the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the US seriously. > > After Trump dodged Welker’s original question about what he’s doing to tamp down on anti-Semitism by dissembling about his support for Israel, Welker followed up and asked him, “What about the divides in this country?” In an illustrative moment, Trump didn’t have a good response for that question either. As it now stands, Trump or his press secretary can lie openly in response to a question, then ban someone who tries to question them on it. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/106 "2018-11-20T22:14:19Z")
> [@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; > > (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: > [@OldGuy](#): > > 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. Aye; where are the rules concerning the President’s conduct during the press briefing? If the press has rules and a role to play, how is the same not true for the POTUS? If I were part of the WHPCA I’d demand reciprocative rules for the POTUS before I’d pay any attention to this fiat bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/107 "2018-11-20T22:18:52Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Aye; where are the rules concerning the President’s conduct during the press briefing? If the press has rules and a role to play, how is the same not true for the POTUS? > > If I were part of the WHPCA I’d demand reciprocative rules for the POTUS before I’d pay any attention to this fiat bullshit. The rules were created to address the lack of due process in ejecting Acosta. Once rules are formalized, it’s much easier to sustain an ejection. Seems pretty straightforward really. And sure journalists don’t have to pay attention to them - then they will be ejected. The idea of imposing rules for dealing with the press upon the President is silly and has no basis in reality. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/108 "2018-11-20T22:23:47Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > The rules were created to address the lack of due process in ejecting Acosta. Once rules are formalized, it’s much easier to sustain an ejection. Seems pretty straightforward really. > > And sure journalists don’t have to pay attention to them - then they will be ejected. The idea of imposing rules for dealing with the press upon the President is silly and has no basis in reality. Duh. I’m saying the “rules” are illegitimate, in part because they demand actions of only one of the two parties involved in the press briefing. For instance, I noticed that nowhere in the rules is there a guarantee that a question will be answered. Were I a member of the WHPCA, I’d need that assurance before I’d even consider the rest of the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/109 "2018-11-20T22:30:18Z")
That’s not what illegitimate means. Did you expect there to be a guarantee that a question would be answered? That was never and will never come to pass under any president. Ever. I took your question, ‘how is the same not true for the POTUS’ seriously. I can’t tell if you actually believe that to be real possibility or not. To be clear - it’s not. ---
**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, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/110 "2018-11-20T22:30:35Z")
The rules were made without any input from the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) or the White House Press Corps Association. ---
**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, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/111 "2018-11-20T22:39:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Blaming Acosta for Trump’s actions is all you’ve been doing here. You must be under some impression that being anti-Trump requires one to be unflinching and unquestioning in support of Acosta. ---
**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, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/112 "2018-11-20T22:43:55Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > You must be under some impression that being anti-Trump requires one to be unflinching and unquestioning in support of Acosta. Moved on from that-_do_ try to keep up. ---
**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, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/113 "2018-11-20T22:47:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Moved on from that-_do_ try to keep up. What is this, your Trump impersonation? “Moving on! Next question! You’re fake news! Take the mic from **Ravenman**! Suspend his hard pass to the Straight Dope!” I haven’t seen this much deflection since Darth Vader wielded his lightsaber in the face of the onslaught of blasters from Rebel troops. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/114 "2018-11-20T23:16:03Z")
I don’t know how you can expect much to begin with when the press corps environment is not tightly structured, verging on an unruly zoo to begin with. Trump cranks the volume of dysfunction up several notches anytime he’s amid hints of dysfunction. It’s very different when he’s being interviewed one on one by a non-sycophantic, focused journalist like Lesley Stahl or Chris Wallace; they do sometimes ask followup questions and don’t drag it out to the point of creating drama that would overshadow the interview. This, in spite of the cameras being on. [From an opinion piece yesterday:](https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/11/19/jim-acosta-white-house-journalists-press-pass-donald-trump-column/2050110002/) > [@](#): > > Live television encourages the hectoring tone of reporters who make provocative statements masked as questions, trying to create news rather than cover it. Turning off the cameras could go a long way to mitigating this. **The White House experimented with this approach last year, and in response Acosta suggested that reporters stage a walkout.** But ending live televised coverage gained bipartisan support from Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton’s press secretary Mike McCurry, who argued it would result in toned-down briefings and less “gotcha” journalism. ---
**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 21, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/115 "2018-11-21T02:13:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What is your opinion of the new press rules? They look good, not what I would do but nothing terrible. So long as the rules are applied equally to all, I see no problem. Journalists editorializing instead of asking questions is an issue. Evading answering difficult questions is as old a questions. Trump’s style makes journalists angry. He loves it and they play into his hand so well it’s embarasing. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/116 "2018-11-21T02:29:59Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > The rules were created to address the lack of due process in ejecting Acosta. Once rules are formalized, it’s much easier to sustain an ejection. Seems pretty straightforward really. > > And sure journalists don’t have to pay attention to them - then they will be ejected. The idea of imposing rules for dealing with the press upon the President is silly and has no basis in reality. Yeah, I’m still scratching my head over this. In what universe does the press get to dictate to the President what rules he will follow in press conferences? He doesn’t even have to hold the damn things. If Jim Acosta, or whoever, does not think that Trump is answering questions properly, then do not attend. ---
**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 21, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/117 "2018-11-21T03:00:48Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Yeah, I’m still scratching my head over this. In what universe does the press get to dictate to the President what rules he will follow in press conferences? He doesn’t even have to hold the damn things. If Jim Acosta, or whoever, does not think that Trump is answering questions properly, then do not attend. This post makes me question if you know what the role of the press is in a free society. ---
**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 21, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/118 "2018-11-21T03:04:29Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Yeah, I’m still scratching my head over this. In what universe does the press get to dictate to the President what rules he will follow in press conferences? He doesn’t even have to hold the damn things. If Jim Acosta, or whoever, does not think that Trump is answering questions properly, then do not attend. Well, the problem was that the rules weren’t laid out. There’s no doubt the Whitehouse was always in charge. I’m curious what exactly Czarcasm thinks this changes. Were all reporters always automatically granted follow up questions before this? ISTM this merely encodes the informal already existing practice. ---
**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 21, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/119 "2018-11-21T03:37:22Z")
I guess the scary part is that they did indeed encode this so as to get around legal hurdles to revoke passes, which other administrations didn’t feel the need to do. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/120 "2018-11-21T09:25:49Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well, the problem was that the rules weren’t laid out. There’s no doubt the Whitehouse was always in charge. I’m curious what exactly Czarcasm thinks this changes. Were all reporters always automatically granted follow up questions before this? ISTM this merely encodes the informal already existing practice. Decorum and following the instructions of the person in charge of any function was always understood as one of the rules of a function. If you are at a County Commission meeting and the chairperson says, “Thank you, that’s enough. We are moving on to the next speaker” and you did what Acosta did, you may very well have been asked to leave at minimum, or escorted out in handcuffs if you persisted. You cannot argue in that situation that your First Amendment rights were violated. It is one of those things where you do not need posted rules, but someone comes along and forces you to post them. It is sort of like “No Smoking” signs in hospital patient rooms. It is 2018 and everyone knows you cannot smoke there. But if you took the signs down, I’ll bet that there is that one guy who would light up and then complain that there was not a sign posted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=7)