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Who's calling? A reporter, and it's often President Donald Trump answering
AP ^ | Jun 30, 2025 | DAVID BAUDER

Posted on 06/30/2025 9:24:17 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?

For reporters, it's hardly unusual to call sources on the phone to learn details or get quotes that will enliven their stories. Sometimes people will talk, sometimes they won't.

But the president of the United States?

In an almost unfathomable level of access, reporters who call President Donald Trump on his personal cell phone often get an answer — and an interview — from the leader of the free world on the spot. There's evidence that this is happening more frequently.

Paradoxically, it's the same president who popularized the term “fake news” and has battled against the press for years on multiple fronts. Just this week, Trump's lawyers threatened to sue CNN and The New York Times over their reporting on an initial government assessment of damage caused by bombing Iran's nuclear facilities.

On the day of the June 21 bombing, Trump gave phone interviews to Jonathan Karl of ABC News, Kristen Welker at NBC News, Reuters' Steve Holland, Axios' Barak Ravid and both Bret Baier and Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel, according to an independent database of the president's media appearances.

The next day, Trump spoke with Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal — for all of 38 seconds, Dawsey noted — enabling the reporter to include a fresh presidential quote in the newspaper's story about the bombing.

“I find it utterly remarkable,” said Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush. “It's classic Trump. It defies tradition.”

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: fakenews; mediaaccess; trump; trumpinterview
The media access to Trump is amazing, but the fake news won't compare that access to Biden and/or Harris.
1 posted on 06/30/2025 9:24:17 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Well, it sure ain’t The Avon Lady!.....................


2 posted on 06/30/2025 9:26:29 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Paradoxically, it’s the same president who popularized the term “fake news” and has battled against the press for years on multiple fronts.


Where’s the paradox??? He’s giving the press access like no other President in US history- hence he would know which is fake news and which isn’t.....


3 posted on 06/30/2025 9:31:03 AM PDT by God luvs America
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

President Grant was known for regularly taking an evening stroll on The Mall ... no guards ... no fuss. Just another regular guy stretching his legs after a long day’s work.

Looks like President Trump is taking a step back ... in the right direction ... toward greater accessibility and greater accountability.


4 posted on 06/30/2025 9:33:00 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: God luvs America

Where’s the paradox”

Exactly but it is from the AP sewer so it is what to expect. Coming directly from Trump makes it the opposite of fake news.


5 posted on 06/30/2025 9:38:00 AM PDT by gibsonguy ( )
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

This level of accessibility may not last for Trump’s entire second term, but for now, while he can deal with the interruptions, it’s great that he would make the effort to acknowledge and reply to reporters. It would be easy for any president to remain unreachable and comfortably cocooned in the great fortress of The White House if he chose to do so.

Maybe I should try it myself, even though I’m not a card carrying ‘reporter’, just a mere citizen. I would be providing statements of encouragement. If I made voice to voice contact, my family back east would never believe me.
“Of course you just spoke to The President. Umm-Hmm!” There is much to be praised right now. A whole lot of hard work is being done for The People.


6 posted on 06/30/2025 10:11:14 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

7 posted on 06/30/2025 10:53:20 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Politics do not make strange bedfellows, and the enemy of your enemy may still be your enemy.)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
“Part of Trump’s success is his raw authenticity,” he said. “He’s unscripted. He’s not a typical politician, and it shows every day.

Ari Fleischer apparently doesn't know the difference between a politician and a statesman. Donald Trump isn't a politician, he's a statesman. For those who don't know the difference, a politician is someone who is thinking about winning the next election. A statesman is someone who is thinking about the future of the country and the future of the next generation.

8 posted on 06/30/2025 11:35:09 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (There are three kinds of rats: Rats, Damned Rats, and DemocRats.)
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To: AlaskaErik
Ari Fleischer apparently doesn't know the difference between a politician and a statesman.

"A statesman is a politician who has been dead for 15 years."
--Harry S Truman
9 posted on 06/30/2025 1:08:55 PM PDT by Colinsky
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To: NorthMountain

Or Andy Jackson - he was out taking a stroll and a man jumped him and tried to assassinate him. Jackson started beating the ever loving 0bama out of the poor fool and had to be restrained to keep from beating the guy to death.


10 posted on 06/30/2025 1:19:44 PM PDT by Repeat Offender
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To: where's_the_Outrage?
“I find it utterly remarkable,” said Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush. “It's classic Trump. It defies tradition.”

Trump doesn't need a teleprompter or speech writer to speak... that makes the job easier.

11 posted on 06/30/2025 1:51:50 PM PDT by GOPJ (Post pictures of democrat politicians and labeling them 'ICE OFFICERS'. Prank on a-holes...)
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To: NorthMountain

IIRC, President Truman also was fond of walking about WDC.


12 posted on 06/30/2025 8:23:39 PM PDT by Taxman (MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! SUPPORT THE FAIRTAX!)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Anyone have his number? /S


13 posted on 07/01/2025 6:56:38 AM PDT by enumerated (81 million votes my ass)
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