Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 09:12 pm
The press is on the verge of dumping Trump after the Republican nominee conned them by promising a press conference and then taking no questions.
Video of the entirety of Trump’s press conference and his comments about birtherism:
https://youtu.be/fVR0mxEgQU8?t=34m49s
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Trump conned the media by promising a major announcement and a press conference. The event was a Trump publicity stunt where he spent two and a half minutes trying to blame Clinton for his birtherism and took no questions from the press.
The media immediately knew that they had been conned.
CNN’s Jeremy Diamond tweeted:
Donald Trump's staff told multiple outlets this would be a press conference. Donald Trump took the free cable TV air time and took no Qs
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) September 16, 2016
CNN’s John King acknowledged that the press got played:
JOHN KING: “We just got played. We just got played. And voters can decide what to make of that."
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) September 16, 2016
Glenn Thrush of Politico:
Now Trump getting free airtime for vets ad — amazing how he games the cable and network people — by saying he's making 'big announcement'
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) September 16, 2016
Trump also dodged questions by refusing to allow reporters to accompany him on the tour of his new hotel:
So the campaign allowed a still camera and video camera to go w/ Trump on hotel tour. Print poolers or your tv producer was not allowed.
— Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) September 16, 2016
So Trump is taking cameras ONLY on a hotel tour.There is no reporter with Trump as he gives "the press" a tour of his brand new hotel.
— Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) September 16, 2016
As the designated pool producer; attempted to go on pooled tour, as is customary. Was physically restrained from accompanying the camera.
— Candace Smith (@CandaceSmith_) September 16, 2016
Hillary Clinton is now taking questions from the press on a regular basis, while Donald Trump is ginning up free media attention promising press conferences that never happen.
The game is over for Trump. The media knows that they have been played. With one colossally arrogant blunder, Donald Trump may have put an end to his media free lunch.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
