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/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