In an engaging interview with the Daily Caller, President Donald Trump voiced his thoughts on the mainstream media, specifically targeting CBS News’s Margaret Brennan. Trump’s lively exchange with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt featured sharp critiques that reveal his frustration with what he views as a biased media landscape.
During the interview, Trump and Leavitt discussed how well The Daily Caller has been performing compared to traditional media outlets like CNN. They were buoyed by the news outlet’s growth, even as its competitors struggle. Leavitt expressed, “It’s been a really successful eight months… we just have continued to grow and grow, which has been really fun to experience.” Trump seized this moment to emphasize the disparity between the rising success of alternatives to traditional media and the decline of outlets like CNN.
Trump noted the significant size of the media market, stating, “People don’t realize how big our market is.” He challenged the credibility of established figures in news, pointing to anchor Nora O’Donnell as someone he believed could easily be replaced. “You could take 50% of the women off the street, they’d do just as good. Pay her 12 million a year, and she’s not going to be there very long,” he remarked. These comments reveal Trump’s dissatisfaction with the high salaries of media personnel, especially in light of their performance.
The conversation quickly pivoted toward Brennan, as Trump labeled her as “pretty close” to being out of a job due to her poor performance. He remarked, “But the other ones too. The ‘Face the Nation’… is so bad.” Leavitt directly addressed Brennan, stating bluntly, “She’s stupid. You can put that on the record.” Trump echoed her sentiment, adding, “She’s nasty.” This candid exchange highlighted a shared animosity toward Brennan, showcasing how the two viewed her as emblematic of a flawed media establishment.
As the discussion led to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s interactions with Brennan, Trump defended Rubio’s appearances on her show, saying, “Because he’s good and he’s smart.” His concerns about the media ultimately led him to comment on the “level of hatred” directed at his administration. “But the level of hatred, I’m surprised he goes on there, the level of hatred when they’re asking the question,” he expressed. This statement underlines Trump’s belief that the media often approaches interviews with an adversarial attitude, particularly toward his administration.
The entire exchange serves as a microcosm of Trump’s ongoing conflict with the media. His critiques are not just limited to insecurities about individual reporters but extend to a broader discontent with how media outlets operate in the current socio-political climate. In this context, he positioned himself and Leavitt as proponents of a new media paradigm, one that challenges established norms and seeks to elevate alternative voices.
This interview with Trump illustrates the ongoing battle over narratives between the Trump administration and mainstream media figures. It highlights the rising confidence of new media outlets like The Daily Caller in contrast to the struggles of traditional news organizations, while exposing the deep-seated criticisms that Trump holds for those in prominent mainstream media positions. The candid remarks from both Trump and Leavitt reflect a broader conversation about credibility, performance, and the future of news itself.
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