Trump takes US presidency into unchartered water with series of tweets attacking the New York Times, hours after ducking reporters to visit restaurant
Donald Trump has renewed his fight with the American media, blaming the New York Times, ducking reporters to visit a eatery and turning to Twitter as a means of direct communication.
The US president-elect even appeared to allude to his reality TV demonstrate The Apprentice as he denied reports that his transition process is in turmoil and beset by infighting.
Trump waged an unprecedented one-man war against the media during his election campaign, banning some organisations from his rallies and regularly instigating his supporters to boo and jeer reporters. He used Twitter, on which he has more than 15 million followers, to chide his critics and throw out often incendiary statements.
Not even his elevated status as president-elect appears to have changed his habits. Whereas Barack Obama devoted his first press conference three days after his election in 2008, Trump is yet to do so, instead devoting a primetime Tv interview and unleashing a onslaught of tweets, yet again taking the US presidency into uncharted waters.
Very coordinated process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other stances, he posted on Twitter late on Tuesday. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!
His reference to the finalists seemed to deliberately provoke The Apprentice, in which contestants combated each other for a chance to work at his business and he told those who falls far short: Youre fired!
The Twitter storm resumed early on Wednesday morning when he denied media reports that his three adult children Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka would be receiving security clearances, creating potential conflicts of interest. I am not trying to get top level security clearance for my children. This was a typically false news story.
And then he singled out the New York Times, which during the campaign exposed how he may have avoided paying taxes for 18 years and which endorsed Hillary Clinton for chairman. This week the paper has reported on disarray in transition periods and said that, while the presidents of Egypt and Israel got through to Trump promptly by phone, UK prime minister Theresa May had to wait 24 hours.
The failing @nytimes story is so totally wrong on transition, Trump tweeted. It is going so smoothly. Also, I have spoken to many foreign leaders.
He added: I have recieved[ sic] and taken calls from many foreign leaders despite what the failing @nytimes said. Russia, U.K ., China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and more. I am always available to them. @nytimes is just upset that they looked like buffoons in their coverage of me.
His decision to mention Russia first will not have escaped critics of Trumps apparent appreciation for president Vladimir Putin. The New York Times pointed out that it had reported that Trump had taken bellows from the leadership of Egypt, Israel, Russia and Britain, but said they had been conducted haphazardly and without the state department guidance that is typical for such conversations.
Trumps shoot-from-the-hip style was met with criticism. David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W Bush, tweeted: It will never stop being insane that the president-elect of the United States foams at his critics on Twitter.
It is fine to publish a list of foreign leaders who called to congratulate him, Frum added: But to toss names out there in a Twitter rage to answer a perceived media slight ?! When does President Trump compromise an important secret?
Further concerns were raised about Trumps handling of the media when he broke with protocol on Tuesday night, going out to dinner at a steakhouse after his transition squad had told journalists he would not be out in public the rest of the day. Trump reportedly received a standing ovation and cheers on arriving at 21 Club in midtown Manhattan.
Read more: www.theguardian.com
