Trump escalates attacks on media before White House Correspondents Dinner

President TrumpDonald John TrumpPrevention is an essential tool in the fight against drug addiction. USMCA is a necessary respite from the uncertainty induced by Trump. Sam Donaldson denounces Sarah Sanders: she had "an Oscar of his life to lie" In the days leading up to the White House correspondents' dinner, he reaffirmed his attacks on the media, stressing that the White House's use of the press was an effective way.

Trump will avoid dinner for the third year in a row, preferring to hold a rally in Wisconsin on Saturday night. He also asked other management officials not to attend.

"The dinner of the correspondents is too negative. I like positive things, "Trump said earlier this month explaining his decision.

Just hours after these comments, he had gone on Twitter to call the press the "enemy of the people," a favorite insult that seems to have escaped the skin of some in the media.

Trump continued his almost constant criticism of the media in the weeks that followed, repeatedly criticizing the actions of a special advocate. Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) Swan MuellerSasse: US should applaud Mueller's choice to lead the investigation over Russia MOREThe investigation of Russian interference.

The latest wave of criticism reached its peak on Tuesday, when it launched seven tweets that castigated the press and designated specific media and journalists. It included footage of MSNBC's "Psycho Joe" Scarborough and applied the term "enemy of the people" to the New York Times, while its publisher warned Trump of the dangerous implications of that phrase.

The White House basically dragged journalists Thursday when its press officer Sarah HuckabeeSarah Elizabeth SandersSam Donaldson blames Sarah Sanders: She had a feat for her life awarded to Sanders, Pence. Questions asked by children during the day Let's invite your work to work. Do not let this year's WHCA dinner turn into another political disaster MORE Sanders made his first appearance on the podium of the briefing room in 45 days – with an appearance of Vice President Pence – to a quiz simulation for children as part of the day "Take your kids to work" . The journalists were unable to ask questions.

None of Trump's attacks are shocking and should only continue when the president asks for another four years at the office.

Trump won political victories partly by clashing with the press, which delighted his main supporters. In 2020, everything indicates that the president will pursue this strategy, framing the elections partly on a Washington elite symbolized by traditional media seeking to thwart his efforts to win another four years in the Oval Office.

Trump has a long history with the White House Correspondents Association and his dinner, a key piece in the story of how Trump became president and his relationship with the media.

At the 2011 event, Seth Meyers and President Obama mocked Trump and made fun of his decision-making and importance by referring to "Celebrity Apprentice."

Trump, said Obama at the time, acknowledged the need to fire Gary Busey and not Lil John or Meatloaf in a recent episode.

"And these are the kinds of decisions that would keep me at night," Obama said, mocking Trump. "Well managed, sir. Well managed. "

The jokes began a story that Trump had launched his presidential campaign because of the jokes at his expense, although Roxanne Roberts of the Washington Post, who was sitting next to Trump at the dinner of 2011, largely refuted this theory.

As president, Trump was held away from dinner, which nonetheless caused a huge controversy last year after comedian Michelle Wolf presented a heartbreaking set that made fun of The press, Republican press secretary and White House Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who attended instead of Trump.

The spinoffs led to changes at the dinner itself, which will feature biographer Ron Chernow as a keynote speaker instead of a comic act.

This change of tone did not upset the White House, as Trump ordered other administration officials not to attend.

Trump will always have a prominent place in Saturday night's debates. Its constant attacks on the media have raised concerns in the First Amendment and press freedom watchdog bodies, and its rally could lead to split-screen coverage of DC festivities.

The president's campaign rallies are usually full of blows against the media. Trump often refers to "false news", whipping his supporters into a frenzy while pointing fingers at the reporters at the back of the room.

The press served as a useful political pretext for Trump, who rallied his base by posing as an undesirable underdog from the Washington establishment and victim of unfair coverage and from specialists.

While this may continue for the remainder of Trump's term and perhaps beyond, the President gave Thursday a glimpse of a more measured view of those who cover it.

Speaking to the children of White House staff members and members of the press corps during the "Take Your Kids to Work" day, Trump acknowledged that the media accurately reported "most of the time ".

"They protect all your families and they spread the word, and they want to make it known in a fair and honest way," he said.

Friday afternoon, Trump was back in attack mode. After waving to the media in a speech to the National Rifle Association (NRA) of Indianapolis, he said, "Why do they oppose things that really make our country great. "

"Why? Nobody gets it. I do not understand. The level of dishonesty and corruption in the media is amazing."