So on Monday, The Don summoned a couple dozen or so news media bigwigs to his palace on Fifth Avenue. Network execs like Jeff Zucker (CNN), anchors like Lester Holt (NBC), and commentators like Charlie Rose (CBS). It was all off the record; the people went in expecting to discuss things like press access to the White House. And since Donnie Boy hadn't held a press conference since July, they had hoped to get in a few other questions as well.....
"For more than twenty minutes, Trump railed about “outrageous” and “dishonest” coverage. When he was asked about the sort of “fake news” that now clogs social media, Trump replied that it was the networks that were guilty of spreading fake news. The “worst,” he said, were CNN (“liars!”) and NBC." [1]
"It was like a f−−−ing firing squad,” one source said of the encounter. Trump started with [CNN chief] Jeff Zucker and said, ‘I hate your network, everyone at CNN is a liar and you should be ashamed,’ ” the source said. "The meeting was a total disaster. The TV execs and anchors went in there thinking they would be discussing the access they would get to the Trump administration, but instead they got a Trump-style dressing-down,” the source added. [2]
“Trump didn’t say [NBC reporter] Katy Tur by name, but talked about an NBC female correspondent who got it wrong, then he referred to a horrible network correspondent who cried when Hillary lost who hosted a debate — which was Martha Raddatz, who was also in the room.” [2]
“I have to tell you, I am emotionally fucking pissed,” another participant said. “How can this not influence coverage? I am being totally honest with you. Toward the end of the campaign, it got to a point where I thought that the coverage was all about [Trump’s] flaws and problems. And that’s legit. But, I thought, O.K., let’s give them the benefit of the doubt. After the meeting today, though—and I am being human with you here—I think, Fuck him! I know I am being emotional about it. And I know I will get over it in a couple of days after Thanksgiving. But I really am offended. This was unprecedented. Outrageous!” [1]
Insulting the people who will be reporting on and explaining your actions - to their face? "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Donald Trump.
Trump mouthpiece Kellyanne Conway said the meeting went well.....
This is where we are. The President-elect does not care who knows how unforgiving or vain or distracted he is. This is who he is, and this is who will be running the executive branch of the United States government for four years. [1]
References:
1. DONALD TRUMP PERSONALLY BLASTS THE PRESS, By David Remnick, The New Yorker 11/22/16
2. Donald Trump’s media summit was a ‘f−−−ing firing squad’ by Emily Smith and Daniel Halper, NY Post, 11/22/16