Trump says political media is dishonest
The Hill reports Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and the news media had a run in after Memorial Day weekend, and Trump vowed that he will continue to be critical of the news media if he becomes President. The row came when Trump announced that he would give some six million dollars, including a million of his own money, to several veterans groups. Reporters questioned why he had taken so long to give the money when he had held a fund-raiser for veterans in January. Trump launched into a fiery exchange with the media because he felt they were criticizing him for what he considered doing a good thing for veterans. This is a far cry from how the press treats the current “president.”
According to The Hill, here’s the dialogue: “It seems to me you’re resistant to the kind of scrutiny that you get with running for president of the United States?” said CNN anchor Jim Acosta. Trump responded: “I like scrutiny, but you know what, when I raise money-excuse me, excuse me, I’ve watched you on television and you’re a real beauty-when I raise money for the veterans, and it’s a massive amount of money-find out how much Hillary Clinton has given to the veterans, it’s nothing.” “I don’t want the credit for it, but I don’t want to be lambasted,” Trump added. Later, Trump pointed to an ABC reporter and called him a “sleaze.”
The reporters tried to educate Trump on why they ask such questions, but he was having none of it. One reporter said, “Writing a million dollar check is incredibly generous … but your critics say you exaggerate. Is this a prime example?” Another asked, “Why exaggerate?” Another reporter said, “When Democrats are raising questions, the press is also reflecting what your opposition is saying about you…We’re not just us throwing questions at you.” Trump responded that he didn’t mind the criticism coming from the opposition, but said it’s different when it comes from the press, “I think the political press is among the most dishonest I’ve ever seen. I have to tell you that…I see the stories and the way they’re couched.”
Let us recall the “president’s” final White House Correspondents’ Dinner last month. He said of the media, “But we’ve always shared the same goal–to root our public discourse in the truth; to open the doors of this democracy; to do whatever we can to make our country and our world more free and more just. And I’ve always appreciated the role that you have all played as equal partners in reaching these goals.” The “president” describes a free press as one that has the same goals as the White House. Trump says the political press is among the most dishonest he has ever seen. Psalm 12:2 may be an accurate description of the press: “They speak deceit every one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” And Trump is making sure they know he is on to them, as should we.
