22 Comments
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josephebacon's avatar

The DC Press Corpse is absolutely useless.

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Kitty's avatar

The stupid gibberish word salad from trump gives me a migraine. I cannot understand how people listen to this absurd nonsense and nod in agreement.

Similarly, I often wonder if some reporters ask questions and don’t truly listen to the response.

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

it does all seem like a performance, on both sides

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hw's avatar

I have an additional question...why did this same press have no issues whatsoever hounding Hillary Clinton and Obama? They didn't push back at the absurdity of the GOP's horror at Obama's tan suit? They didn't question the endless fruitless investigations into Hillary Clinton. This didn't start with Trump...the WH press has given a pass to every Republican who held the presidency. They barely investigated the underpinnings of the war in Afganistan where millions died. It's simply become more obvious. The press stopped asking about the murder of Khashoggi. They dropped the story of the US betrayal of the Kurds. They will do the same with the US' wholesale capitulation to the Taliban. If the DC press isn't hanging out at the Trump Tower hotel's bar, they are taking bows at book tours. The few honorable journalists have been overtaken by the endless chaos and realization that it's far too little, far too late.

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

my hunch is one press defense would be there’s so much Trump news they can’t stay focused. But as you note they didn’t have trouble staying focused on GOP attacks on Dems (ie three years of Benghazi hearings)

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josephebacon's avatar

The Corporate Controlled Conservative Press is a key part of the Republican 24/7 BS Machine which includes Fox, OANN, Hate Radio and Right Wing Churches. Which is why the Republican BS Machine is pushing Bernie. They will tear Bernie to pieces because they want four more years of Trump!

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Theodora30's avatar

But that doesn’t explain why White House reporters who represent mainstream outlets won’t stand up to Trump’s mistreatment.

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josephebacon's avatar

Answer--They are Republican stenographers.

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josephebacon's avatar

The Corporate Controlled Conservative Press is a key part of the Republican 24/7 BS Machine which includes Fox, OANN, Hate Radio and Right Wing Churches. Which is why the Republican BS Machine is pushing Bernie. They will tear Bernie to pieces because they want four more years of Trump!

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josephebacon's avatar

The Corporate Controlled Conservative Press is a key part of the Republican 24/7 BS Machine which includes Fox, OANN, Hate Radio and Right Wing Churches. Which is why the Republican BS Machine is pushing Bernie. They will tear Bernie to pieces because they want four more years of Trump!

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CR's avatar

My belief is they are scared to death that Trump will revoke their press pass, and maybe they feel that getting some info is better than no info...all I know for sure is that these folks need to grow a pair!

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

It’s true. W/o that press pass it’s hard for reporters to do their job. and no WH has ever threatened access like this one

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Manqueman's avatar

Never ceases to amuse me: Reporters' lust for access to documented serial liars. (A related problem is the reliance on anonymous sources when all their doing is pushing self-beneficial BS.)

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

yep. Access Journalism is a drug

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Theodora30's avatar

And why did most of the media ignore this story about FBI leakers getting improper gifts from reporters? The Inspector General for the DOJ:

“... identified instances where FBI employees improperly received benefits from reporters, including tickets to sporting events, golfing outings, drinks and meals, and admittance to nonpublic social events.”

Apparently these were the FBI agents who were leaking damaging information about Hillary to the media. I assume the media has ignored this very serious story to protect those sources. I worry that those agents are still in place ready to help Trump win this time around.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/justice-department-inspector-general-leaks/

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

yes, access is what NYT prizes the most

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Katie's avatar

Brian Karem from Playboy has had a few moments that were applause worthy. Trump hates him and won't call on him and even had his press pass removed til he got it back. Journalists live in fear of being fired or singled out by trump. They may ask pertinent questions, but they never follow up when greeted with lies or nonsensical answers. Look to the owners of the media for blame.

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

agreed re: Brian. I did link to his battle w/ WH but should maybe mention him by name

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areader's avatar

(By Eric Boehlert, article )In the case of Trump, it's not an allegation, it's quite clearly a fact.

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Arthur Bernstein's avatar

Your points are correct but the article didn't answer your question: Why won't one White House reporter stand up to Trump? Other than that they are afraid to be banished, what is the answer?

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Eric Boehlert's avatar

I think it’s combination of factors: fear of losing access, which overlaps with careerism, being major ones

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