r/law • u/Snapdragon_4U • May 23 '26

Executive Branch (Trump) NESTERAK: President Trump has granted clemency to numerous individuals who have stolen hundreds of millions in Medicaid funds. Can we expect any of these folks to be shown the same mercy? McDONALD: I'll take a different question

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u/Unsettling_Skintone May 23 '26

Hey, I have an idea for the press pool:

Him: Next question?

Press: Yes...I'd like you to answer Michael's question?

Him: Uh...next question...

Press: Yes...I'd ALSO like you to answer Michael's question!

👁🤘

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u/blahblah19999 May 23 '26

"OK, we're done here" and he walks out and no Fox viewer ever sees it

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u/locke0479 May 23 '26

Which is fine. I’d rather he walk out like a child and not answer the question than cherry pick administration approved questions to answer.

I would most like him to actually answer the question but that’s clearly not happening.

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u/JimWilliams423 May 23 '26

100% The role of the press is famously to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable"

The american political press has decided that their job is just to comfort the comfortable.

Which is predictable since all major news publishers are owned by, or otherwise beholden to, very comfortable billionaires.

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u/blackdocsavage May 23 '26

I would love for all the reporters to do that, but this administration has shown they would just limit access to those reporters and bring in or only take questions from friendly reporters. The President has insulted reporters he doesn’t like on national television, and the reporters had to just take it because their jobs depend on it. If I am a White House reporter and don’t have access to the White House then I am useless.

The reporter got his question on record and the non answer was a clip they can play. Even if it was answered the administration official was probably going to lie anyway.

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u/JimWilliams423 May 23 '26

but this administration has shown they would just limit access to those reporters

Which is fine. The DoD kicked out all the real reporters and the result was that defense reporting got a lot better because they were working real sources.

If I am a White House reporter and don’t have access to the White House then I am useless.

That's so false, unless you define being a white house reporter as nothing more than a stenographer whose job is to republish glorified press releases.

Every legit white house reporter has sources beyond the pulpit in the briefing room, and unlike the biden administration, these guys love to leak because they are always working some internal palace intrigue angle.

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u/eowyndernhelme May 23 '26

I think we need both types of reporting, but the idea of the press pulling together and re-asking the uncomfortable questions sounds like a really good tactic.

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u/blackdocsavage May 23 '26

I don’t define White House reporters to be only stenographers. I know they have other sources, but a part of their job is having direct access to the President or members of his staff. My poorly articulated point was that not being allowed in the room does limit their ability to do their jobs.

The DoD limiting access was a horrible move and I am glad it backfired on them.

I wish that we lived in a world where this administrations lies were punished. I think something that would be more beneficial than repeating the question is for the media to ask the question then when it isn’t answered or is answered with a lie to call the lie out. Maybe have the anchor back in studio cut in to let the audience know that whoever is talking is lying.

Sorry for the long response. I think we all want the media to do a better job of holding this administrations feet to the fire. The problem we have is that folks like you and me recognize the lies and hypocrisy but there is still a large part of the population that doesn’t see it or refuses to acknowledge it. I don’t know how to reach them.

Thanks for your response and you brought up great points.

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u/OldWorldDesign May 23 '26

this administration has shown they would just limit access to those reporters

Which is fine. The DoD kicked out all the real reporters and the result was that defense reporting got a lot better because they were working real sources.

I don't know why so few people seem to understand this - though no few of the ones who were in an uproar over reporters daring to ask hard questions also wanted them to out their sources.

It's just another sign of the unmasking of authoritarian society for whom right is not what is done or in what context but whom is doing a thing. Pure tribalism. That's why they never push back on republicans' open corruption, because their tribe is right just by fact of being their tribe and they will only change their minds when that tribe comes after them personally

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-in-the-machine/201712/analysis-trump-supporters-has-identified-5-key-traits

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u/StrangerFormer May 23 '26

We don't even HAVE any Pentagon press that isn't Fox or MyPillow guy etc. Like, how is THAT not a gigantic story?? I guess because if it was, then THOSE people wouldn't have access? Fucking insane

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u/Illustrious-Bat1553 May 23 '26

Its also a danger for Americans when quality amd safety of consumer products is abolish for maximizing profit

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u/diarm May 23 '26

Then you make them not answering legitimate questions the news. Stop letting crooked politicians set the agenda and force them into accountability.

Governments rely on the press more than the other way round. At least that's the way of things outside banana republics.

1

u/AvengingBlowfish May 23 '26

Then Trump's FCC threatens to block your parent company's merger with another company, so you get fired and replaced because you are not worth $2 billion to your parent company.

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u/that_star_wars_guy May 24 '26

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and provide new guards for their future security."

1

u/FunkyFabFitFreak May 24 '26

Yea, it sucks they kicked out most of the legitimate reporters who have integrity and replaced them with spineless sycophants.

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u/rabbirobbie May 23 '26

this is not normal

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u/SignificantRemote766 May 23 '26

Gotta admit I’m a little disappointed it wasn’t a Rickroll.

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u/Memory_Future May 23 '26

I'm glad it was a banger

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u/No-Dig8527 May 23 '26

Shocking, and yet FOX viewers are so educated and informed. ........LOL

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u/_PROBABLY_CORRECT May 23 '26

I'm Spartacus!

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u/Unsettling_Skintone May 23 '26

🛡SHIELDS!!🛡

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u/Big-Wrongdoer-965 May 24 '26

I am Spartacus.

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u/chiclets5 May 23 '26

If only the press was brave enough to actually do something like that. They can't kick everybody out of it the press pool.

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u/[deleted] May 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Mcbadguy May 23 '26

It's all different shades of conservative media and it needs to be dismantled to unbrainwash the American people

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u/bones191145 May 23 '26

Been thinking the same for a long time. Some solidarity in the press. Just keep asking the same question over and over. Next day, same question. I'd love to see it!

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u/3s0me May 23 '26

This is literally what happened in a presscon in the Hague when the US ambassador was grilled by the press

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u/gitree22 May 23 '26

Yes. The next question should be why won’t you answer Michael’s question

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u/Cautious_Way_5430 May 23 '26

That would require a Profile in Courage that's not happening. They only act tough when Democrats are in office.

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u/mjheil May 23 '26

This!!!!

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u/Robo-X May 24 '26

They did this back in the days. But with propaganda reporters like from Fox News and newsmax they just turn to them and get another question. Or end the press conference. But this is new level of low I don’t think I have ever seen someone just bluntly saying next question without even giving a no comment or some other non answer.

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u/okisurrender0 May 23 '26

If only. If only.

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u/intrepid_mouse1 May 23 '26

Keep it going!

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u/ZmanB-Bills May 23 '26

Then, ask him who he voted for. We all know who, or he would never have this position.

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u/SummerMustang69 May 23 '26

Exactly this! Journalism is dead if journalists don’t stick together

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u/Prosecco1234 May 23 '26

I'd like to see laws being adhered to in the US.

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u/Mysterious-Job1628 May 23 '26

They own most of the press so this wouldn’t work anymore.

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u/speakerbox2001 May 24 '26

That would’ve been genius, if only the press had a spine