Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
Trump escapes tough questions by ignoring big media journalists

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly sidestepped tough questions from the news media in White House press conferences during his first month in office.

Trump called only on two smaller US media organisations yesterday during a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both questioners asked about the Middle East, skirting around the raging issue of his administration's relations with Russia.

The reporters called on to ask questions were from the Christian Broadcasting Network cable channel and conservative website Townhall. Some of the Israeli press corps called on by Netanyahu posed questions to both leaders.

Reporters from leading newspapers the New York Times and the Washington Post and televisions networks including CNN and CBS were ignored.

Trump's recent joint news conferences with the prime ministers of Japan and Canada followed similar patterns. Questions posed during those news conferences were from small, conservative or Trump-friendly media organisations.

Journalists have made a point of shouting their questions after Trump closes the news conference, but the president always leaves the room without answering.

Trump closed yesterday's news conference by thanking Netanyahu for saying that Israel and the Jewish people had no greater supporter than Trump.

As he walked out of the room, one reporter called out, "Are you gonna answer any questions about your... contact with the Russians during the campaign?"

- dpa

Trump wants Israel 'hold back a little bit' on settlements

ADS