President Trump granted another interview to Time magazine (for another cover story), even if Time’s interviewers want to push him around and try to get him to say scandalous things.
In his “Reliable Sources” newsletter, CNN media analyst Brian Stelter summed up the interview this way:
One giant ego trip
Before you do anything else today, you should read the transcript of TIME’s brand-new interview with President Trump.
The interview begins and ends with Trump’s complaints about the media. Even when asked about Iran or the Senate, he circles back around to his feelings about how his presidency is covered. “You haven’t asked me one fucking positive question,” Trump said toward the end.
Fact check: False. The interview began with a couple of questions about AI, and then they asked about the press ban. “Why should Americans believe that you respect the free press when you're restricting access to the White House to some of our colleagues?” And then: "Isn't it a founding principle of the country that the press is suppose to hold government and those in power accountable? Do you believe in that?"
Not every question was a negative hardball. But the F-bomb came after Time asked: "You mentioned the Democrats will come after you if they win. Are you considering pardoning members of your administration prior to the end of your term?" And then: "Have you seen the videos of Mitch McConnell back in the Senate? Do you think he should resign because of his health condition?"
The magazine's "holding government accountable" line of questioning isn't taking into account the dramatic double standard that they and other liberal media outlets have on "holding power accountable." Stelter should revisit how Time's Massimo Calabresi gently questioned Biden about his age in 2024, shortly before the debate fiasco:
The last two years of Presidents, two-term President's tenure are usually focused on foreign affairs. You are 81 years old, and would be 86 by the time you left office. Large majorities of Americans, including in the Democratic Party, tell pollsters they think you are too old to lead. Could you really do this job as an 85-year old man?
Biden: I can do it better than anybody you know. You’re looking at me, I can take you too.
Did you consider not running again because of your age?
Biden: No, I didn't.
And what do you say to Americans who are worried about it?
Biden: Watch me. Look, name me a president that’s gotten as much done as I've gotten done in my first three and a half years.
Calabresi told CNN’s Jake Tapper this "I can take you" stuff was "light-hearted” and “quite funny.” As for Biden's “Watch me" line, Calabresi confessed it might be a “stock answer.” But he left it on the table. No need for accountability. They treat Trump as a dangerous figure, and Biden as a jokey grandpa.
Stelter reported that Trump has now been on the cover of Time 56 times, more than any other individual. He didn't mention how many of those covers were incredibly hostile to Trump, making him a cartoonish villain, sometimes with a melting orange face. It's amazing he keeps granting them interviews when the "news magazine" has certainly past its prime. But he still wants recognition from press organs that voters under 40 don't consider.
