Ever since Donald Trump launched his campaign for president back in June 2015, he's been in a heated war of words with the mainstream news media. While it's usually the president who lashes out at the press, some of his top advisers are following in his footsteps.
Conway's claim
When Donald Trump first announced that he was running for president, he labeled illegal immigrants from Mexico as "murderers" and "rapists." Instantly the press reacted negatively, pushing back at the former host of "The Apprentice" for his controversial and inflammatory language.
That moment planted a seed that would grow over the next two years, highlighting the feud between the press and the president. During the campaign, Trump would find ways to bypass the traditional means of a candidate, using social media to promote his agenda and reach his supporters and potential voters. However, Trump would often lash out on Twitter, targeting celebrity critics, his political opponents, and even other world leaders. In response, the press gave Trump around the clock coverage. While much of it was negative, it kept Trump's name in the spotlight, which he rode using an outsider's message to a primary victory and eventually an upset win over Hillary Clinton.
Despite this, Trump has only increased his war of words with the media, as his advisers have also come to his defense, with the team accusing the reporters of pushing "fake news" anytime a story is written that goes against the administration's plans. As reported by The Hill on April 12, Kellyanne Conway is continuing that attack.
Sitting down with Michael Isikoff of the Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday for a Newseum event in Washington, D.C. was Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway. As part of an over 30-minute interview, Conway went off on the media for allegedly lying about Donald Trump in various ways during the election and as part of their coverage of the administration.
"Those who are covering him, some of those Twitter feeds are a hot mess," Kellyanne Conway said.
"If you read people’s Twitter feeds, I’m telling you this...it would never pass editorial muster," Conway said of journalists and cable news hosts reporting on social media, before adding, "It just wouldn’t." "The free and fair press, that comes with a responsibility," she added. Conway later went on to say that cable news reporters are "literally say(ing) things that just aren't true."
(Conway's full interview in the video above.)
Double down
In addition to Kellyanne Conway's criticism of the media, she also became irritated after Michael Isikoff claimed Donald Trump disliked New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman. Conway lashed out, accusing Isikoff of "inappropriate" reporting.