I’m sure that’s how he views it. He blatantly lies and doesn’t care who knows it, then ignores any criticism.
You almost got it-
He blatantly lies, and he knows he is lying, and the media knows he is lying, but he knows the media will become willing accomplices in disseminating his lies and will never call him on it.
That gives him the brass balls to say whatever he feels like without fear of reprisal.
And that is pretty dangerous for the most pawerful person on the planet.