# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/141 "2018-11-21T20:11:42Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So when Trump won’t call on certain reporters during press conferences, he’s engaged in some type of wrongdoing? By your logic, he is. > > And thank you. That would be your logic, not mine. Opportunity for all does not mean you are guaranteed, or even promised, that you will get to actually ask a question during a Presidential presser. You may be subjected to the long-winded arguments of an asshole like Acosta, which will eat up the time allotted for the presser. CNNSUX has other reporters in the room who can ask the same question that CNNSUX wanted asked. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/142 "2018-11-21T20:19:27Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > And yet, every other administration had managed without codified guidelines. Is it your opinion that Acosta is the first obnoxious member of the White house press corps? Or is Trump exhibiting some wisdom other presidents lacked? I remember when the press corps only asked one question. Several of them would then ask if they were permitted to ask a follow up 2nd question. As I understood it, that was an agreement between the news agencies. That deal would have offered the reporters present a better chance of getting to ask their own question. The asshole Acosta acted as if he were more important that all of the other reporters. ---
**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, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/143 "2018-11-21T20:22:06Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I remember when the press corps only asked one question. Several of them would then ask if they were permitted to ask a follow up 2nd question. As I understood it, that was an agreement between the news agencies. That deal would have offered the reporters present a better chance of getting to ask their own question. . What era are you remembering? ---
**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 21, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/144 "2018-11-21T20:25:13Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > That would be your logic, not mine. > > Opportunity for all does not mean you are guaranteed, or even promised, that you will get to actually ask a question during a Presidential presser. You may be subjected to the long-winded arguments of an asshole like Acosta, which will eat up the time allotted for the presser. CNNSUX has other reporters in the room who can ask the same question that CNNSUX wanted asked. What allotted time? You do know that the Prez can take as much time as he wants to hold these press conferences, right? There is no legal reason for him to run off like a frightened child whenever the going gets tough. ---
**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 21, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/145 "2018-11-21T20:26:33Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > I remember when the press corps only asked one question. Several of them would then ask if they were permitted to ask a follow up 2nd question. As I understood it, that was an agreement between the news agencies. That deal would have offered the reporters present a better chance of getting to ask their own question. Where did you get all this from? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/146 "2018-11-21T20:58:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > This approach is how Fox News got to where they are today. What approach? Did other networks abandon political coverage at some previous point? On the contrary, their incredulous coverage of Trump in 2015 helped legitimize him. Look, I know my idea will never happen and would probably backfire. But if Trump expects fawning adulation and softball questions from the media, all he deserves from them is silence. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/147 "2018-11-21T21:00:24Z")
I love people trying to spin this as Trump triumphing fair access. In regards to the particular incident with Acosta exactly how many news organizations expressed their concern was Acosta was hogging the mic? Was there any? Even FOX News disagreed with the Trump administrations handling of the incident. doorhinge’s ‘facts’ regarding past press conferences don’t even exist. His position is so disingenuous it’s laughable. There is no debating with someone so disconnected to reality. ---
**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, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/148 "2018-11-21T21:31:42Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > That would be your logic, not mine. > > Opportunity for all does not mean you are guaranteed, or even promised, that you will get to actually ask a question during a Presidential presser. You may be subjected to the long-winded arguments of an asshole like Acosta, which will eat up the time allotted for the presser. CNNSUX has other reporters in the room who can ask the same question that CNNSUX wanted asked. This is what you wrote: “A Presidential press conference is supposed to be an opportunity for ALL reporters to ask the President a question.” Now you’re backpedaling into some weird “I meant ALL journalists except CNN!” bullshit? God, how embarrassing. ---
**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 21, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/149 "2018-11-21T22:21:06Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > That’s not what illegitimate means. I know what the word means and I used it on purpose because it fits. > [@Bone](#): > > 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. Then I don’t see where the WHPCA should abide by the “one question only or face ejection” rule. After all, it wasn’t negotiated and I see no reason to allow the POTUS to make these rules by fiat. > [@Bone](#): > > 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. It is a serious question. Rules are a form of contract and contracts are negotiated, not declared, no matter that the POTUS is one of the parties involved. ---
**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 21, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/150 "2018-11-21T22:23:12Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > They certainly do not have the right to call the President a liar in the White House at an event that he has no obligation to attend or even hold Say what now? :dubious: Are you sure about this? Because I’m pretty sure they do have that right, if they are at such an event. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/151 "2018-11-21T22:56:12Z")
I think there is an amendment to the Constitution about that. One of the earlier amendments, if I recall… Hmmm, what number? ---
**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, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/152 "2018-11-21T23:24:48Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I think there is an amendment to the Constitution about that. One of the earlier amendments, if I recall.. Hmmm, what number? I have a legal right to call my father in law an evil bastard but that’s not what people mean if they say I had no right to do that. It is perfectly reasonable for the White house to expect a certain amount of decorum during a Presidential press conference. Yes, I am perfectly aware that it’s pretty hypocritical at this point in time. No matter how frustrating it must be, the press corp should be acting professional at these events. That’s the frustrating part of this discussion for me- so many people here are perfectly happy for the press conferences to be a gong show because Trump is President. That itself diminishes the role of the press and Trump likes it that way. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/153 "2018-11-21T23:48:59Z")
Americans most certainly have the right to call the President a liar any time, any place. Shit, some Republican congresspeople do it during the State Of The Union address. ---
**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, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/154 "2018-11-21T23:55:33Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Americans most certainly have the right to call the President a liar any time, any place. Shit, some Republican congresspeople do it during the State Of The Union address. :rolleyes: We are talking about a staged event hosted at the White house. They were never under any requirement to call on Acosta for questions and he certainly never had the right to grab the mic on his own authority and start asking questions. What this has to do with the right of all Americans to stand on a street corner calling the president a liar is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/155 "2018-11-22T00:02:39Z")
Perhaps you missed the post that I was responding to when you decided to respond to me. Wrong, do it again. :rolleyes: yourself. ---
**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 22, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/156 "2018-11-22T00:07:39Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Perhaps you missed the post that I was responding to when you decided to respond to me. > Wrong, do it again. > :rolleyes: yourself. I didn’t miss it as my post at #152 makes rather clear. You and Snowboarder are both being obtuse ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/157 "2018-11-22T00:12:39Z")
In your esteemed opinion. ---
**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 22, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/158 "2018-11-22T00:14:29Z")
No, in reality. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/159 "2018-11-22T00:17:43Z")
In reality, this statement is false: “They certainly do not have the right to call the President a liar in the White House at an event that he has no obligation to attend or even hold…” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796/160 "2018-11-22T00:27:22Z")
Well, the press corps is trying to act professional. But when they do, like Acosta, they get kicked out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-to-undermine-the-role-of-the-press/824796.md?page=9)