Unfortunately, I can't comment on the page for the full video but I do want to note that it was the best unexpected hour of internet diversion I've spent in a loooong time.
I appreciate the NYT airing a dialogue of the dynamics of how the sausage is made rather than the ever-present fodder of the love/hate relationship we have with this sausage. It'll be helpful to do more of these and do them regularly. Just the snippets of editorially discussing, "why not ignore POTUS tweets?", was an enlightenment to a very common reader wonderment.
Why doesn't someone in the press (cough-NYT,WP) pin him down when all he offers up are vague "we'll be discussing more about that later" answers? I've yet to hear a single concrete, well thought out detailed response from Trump regarding everthing from healthcare to Korea. Believe me, living in Alaska, details on the latter would be interesting. Frightening but interesting. Similar to watching a horror flick to its inevitable bloody conclusion in spite of already knowing the ending.
Pin him down...on everything! You've nothing to lose. He already hates legitimate news. Give him a legitimate reason to hate you. Sic him.
1
Sick, sick of hearing the SS is being charged for rooms and golf carts. Either we change the laws wherein the public doesn't pay for this or Trump has to stay in the WH or clear out the paying guests so the SS can have a Skelton crew. Why are we paying for adult kids to vaction as well? Please do a investigation on the ,obey spent already.
When are you going to stop reporting on Tweets, that we all know are being composed on the toilet?
COVFEFE = I'm out of toilet paper!
How do NYT reporters like Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush manage to score occasional interviews with Donald Trump, despite their unflinching and often critical reporting of him, not to mention working for one of the main “Fake News” outlets that Trump loves to hate?
1
My question for the live stream: By tomorrow morning, President Trump will have heard about the live stream and will probably rail against the "failing New York Times." How do you expect your relationship with and access to the President to change?
In contrast to the Obama Whitehouse, the Trump Whitehouse seems to be as leaky as a sieve. Why do you think that is?
How do you isolate the truth from the never ending barrage of lies?
Help us,
obi-wan New York Times-knobi,
You're our only Hope!l
Like the Panama Papers, can all the media outlets agree to investigate Trump for impeachable causes or article 25 issues ?
This might take ignoring the circus.
I think this is with every white house, but it seems like there is never a straight answer to a question posed by the press pool. How do you "play the game", and how does it affect your reporting?
What time do you have to wake up in the morning in order to be prepared for early tweeting?
Does it do anything to your psyche to be called #fakenews?
Is there concern that covering the bombast and various dramas fills up the paper/screen and distracts from the Russia/election investigation coverage?
I watched from beginning to end. The idea that twitter could, or that you believe it has, taken on the function of the Public Editor is laughable on its face.
140 character tweets can point out egregious mistakes, but it is insulting to think that it adequately replaces objective outsiders with decades of journalistic experience with the brief to question any reporter or editor about issues of journalistic integrity. That Mr. Baquet would in this way insult the intelligence of his readers is astonishing.
When the retired Timeswoman who worked with Clyde Haberman asked about anonymous sourcing, Baquet’s answer was appallingly incomplete. The “tough” standards that the Times “has,” but frequently chooses not to enforce, include the wording that use of anonymous sourcing is a “last resort.” But three times this year alone I have sent emails noting that on a single digital front page, one could find seven or eight anonymously sourced articles. That is an astounding load of “last resorts.” Baquet was also sitting next to a woman who has a last resort moment several times a week. Those included anonymously sourced disparagement of brand new Trump aides unable to figure out White House lightswitches and doorknobs. In the very same article there was the visual of Trump thundering in the personal quarters in his bathrobe railing at cable news. Were these really necessary?
To Margaret Sulivan, Baquet pledged to use fewer, but it is always more anonymous sourcing.
1
I would like to understand what the NYT’s perspective is on over-covering Trump. He is a master distractor. If the media and news outlets remove the oxygen, he loses his power. At some point, it cannot continue to be an “unprecented” tweet, comment, or statement. At some point, Trump himself is unprecedented and as a result, normal coverage of his stupidity is a fool’s errand.
Listened to the discussion. One obvious concession made to Trump is the psychological concession. The panelists keep assuming (way beyond the point of random consistency) that the man operates with either a plan or a rational framework.
What happens when that breaks down and the individual almost helplessly follows the siren song of irrational impulse? At a certain point human behavior transgresses past socially accepted boundaries. That's the time to call it out as abnormal and deviant.
What happens when that's not just some random joe on the streets of Chicago but POTUS? If Corker is concerned I'm even more concerned.
You can argue and debate on the basis of reason. Sociopathic impulse is something else again.
I really want to thank you all for this--as an ex-Washingtonian, as a Master of Communication ( :-)), as a world citizen. Excellent insight, and makes you real people for readers. More!
I am an online subscriber here in Israel, and find one point mentioned relevant to my life here. When I bring up NYT articles in discussions--with Israelis and Americans, I often get--''Oh, but they have a liberal bias.''
I don't think the difference between editorials and the news is understood, as was mentioned. I hope you'll think about ways of educating readers about what professional journalism demands.
This kind of panel is a good start, but I'm afraid it will be preaching to the converted. Perhaps a panel/committee of many newspapers should be relating to this question (and others). Right now, the various newspapers are sort of nation-states--where is your UN? Surely there are many questions and dilemmas that you all wrestle with.
1) How do you respond to the criticism regarding your reporting about the president, as for example seen in this thread ("not objective" etc)? Do you think your reporting covers the political situation from all possible angles?
2) What, in your opinion, is the biggest difference between covering Mr Trump and Mr Obama in the White House?
This was so interesting and the reporters in this group are amazing. However, I would have liked to if they had addressed the NYT policy on reporters tweeting. It doesn't strike me that the tweets are as objective as the news reporting, which then does give a window into the reporter's personal feelings.
For my high school publication, I was able to cover a Trump rally — as I know many of The Times' reporters do. It was an incredible experience (for lack of a better term), and I was wondering if any of you have covered both pre-election rallies AND press conferences post-election, and if you saw any difference in the way Trump presented himself in the two scenarios.
Why do you think President Trump appears to be obsessed with destroying President Obama's legacy? I seek to answer this question in a book chapter I am currently writing.
The press is our only conduit for asking questions and getting answers from this Administration. I understand courtesy is important, but I am frustrated that questions are not more focused and pointed on specifics with a demanding followup. Too many times questions seem to be asked that are too open ended and the respondent is allowed to babble on without a real response or with easily disprovable lies. I would appreciate the questioner interrupting, pointing out untruths and demanding an answer.
Also I would like the President to be asked factual questions about government to find out what he really knows (any political replies cutoff). Too many of his remarks indicate a shocking ignorance he should not be able to hide.
How frustrating is it to attend WH press briefings when the role of the press secretary seems less to provide accurate factual information than it is to stick to talking points and evade questions? This being true of most WH press secretaries, not just Sarah Huckabee Sanders. (Although this WH evades more than usual.)
Can (will) someone please ask Donald Trump specifics about the Constitution?
I don't think he knows much about it (except for the Second Amendment, of course.)
Maggie, you said that Trump was "humiliated" when the Access Hollywood tape was exposed. In your time covering him have you ever seen him show any kind of empathy or remorse? Anything that is outside of self-obsession or self-aggrandizement?
Without taking into account staff and/or protocol changes in the Trump White House, have you noticed any subtle or outright changes in the President's behavior, speech, or appearance? If so, what are the observable differences you've noticed since he assumed office?
Excellent job panel! Please expand this beyond your Facebook page and YouTube. All Americans need to hear the discussion you had tonight.
Trump has been very critical of the New York Times. Are you receiving threats from the general public?Have you needed to change any security procedures? Has anyone told Trump that his attacks against the media could prompt a Charlie Hebdo-style attack and thus make DT an accomplice to terror?
1
Coverage of Donald.Trump has completly dominated news media so that many other newsworthy stories are never covered.
Do you discuss this problem? What is your responsibility to allowing other news coverage to get out?
How do you rate each DT story in terms of its news value? Do you use the number of eyeballs drawn to a story as the main barometer for whether similar stories should get covered?
Do reporters covering other issues complain that your DT coverage drowns out their stories?
4
When will you drop the hysteria and cover the President objectively?
I mostly tune out NYT political coverage because all you do is pile onto the "resistance" bandwagon, without doing your job--reporting and analyzing the news--as objectively as possible.
The disdain you're experiencing as you read this has a lot to do with how Trump got elected.
4
i read this and find it frustating- what does 'objectively' mean? please cite some examples. this comment to me is par with trump saying 'nafta is horrible!' or the paris agreement- why is it? i daresay he doesn't really know since he hasn't probably read them. but since you wrote this- can you be specific?
so true
Just watch how Trump conducts himself in public, and with his tweets.Consider what kind of a human being always been, from childhood.
Then tell me how can anyone with any common sense NOT be disdainful of his vulgarity, stupidity ,ignorance and nastiness?
You don't need a brilliant mind to be able to spot and smell his meanfraudulence a mile off!
Censorship of the news...wow. I know that is happening already, as I did not see the last two wars reported in the nightly news like Vietnam. However, I get the impression Trump seems to care most about his image and having control. So how will we know when Trumps crosses the line to Dictatorship? How will you report that? Or can you? :)
3
Can the fourth estate just agree that there's no point anymore in reporting the shock and awe produced by the President since the world knows and agrees that he is a full time dissembling charlatan deflecting public attention at every turn from the krakistocracy that we are becoming? Can the press report assiduously on what is actually happening across government so that we'll know what is disintegrating in real time?
6
Media news, other than Fox, do not show up for one of the president's brief openings, for example, movement to transportation. Country and world saved from spontaneous, meaningless rant and a hint to his character.
Given comments by Senator Corker and others regarding Trump's stability and the need for Gen. Kelly and others to restrain him, do you think they'll be able to keep him from using the nuclear bomb?
And what are the chances of him leaving office early, whether via impeachment or the 25th Amendment?
Thanks, and keep up the good work!
2
My questions:
1) Have you ever had a story like this about a previous President?
2) And if not, any speculation on your part on why a Trump supporter might see the very idea of this article as an example of liberal media bias?
4
Has the United States ever had a previous president who was anything like this one--in terms of temperament, competence, or any measure you care to apply?
4
General Kelly today stated (not in these exact words) that journalists should not rely on lower level sources in the administration to verify their reports. Can you explain the NYT’s process in determining how many sources, and what level of sources, it takes before you validate a news item worthy of publication about the President/White House/Administration?
Thank you.
7
In one-on-one interviews with Donald Trump, his technique is to be aggressive and bowl over the interviewer with exaggeration and hyperbole, or say something that can't be quickly fact-checked. Too many reporters cower or lose their cool. Can the Times lead the way is refusing to let Trump -- and any other public officials -- get away with this evasion?
3
What responsibilities do feel the press has to see through some of the presidents actions as 'distractions'?
3
Trump frequently points at the person standing next to him in photos.
He looks like an adolescent when he does this.
Is this a degrading gesture ,saying "We all know I'm the joe that counts but just take a quick look at THIS guy."?
Q: Good journalists try to present both sides of the story. But to what extent are journalists responsible for the large percentage of Americans who hold fact-free beliefs? By presenting both sides, including ridiculous evidence-free sides, many Americans will conclude the truth is in the middle when in truth there is there is no middle. For example, whereas 99.5% of scientists believe in man made climate change, a sizable percentage of people don't hold this view because the media gives voice to fact-free voices, whether that voice is a climate change denier, a birther, a president or his spokesperson. Thank you.
1
That 99% number is not true and has been debunked by most credible news organizations (not the NY Times).
1
What keeps Kelly & others from resigning? It can't be loyalty to the Donald & how can it be loyalty to a WH that has become the home of the whopper?
how will possible fall out affect the questions you select and the answers you give?
Isn't it time for main stream news organizations and journalists to start ignoring a president that is a sexual predator, exaggerates, boasts, lies and is fundamentally ignorant about the US government and its workings.This president, as much as he calls the NYT and other mainstream news organizations fake news, would be desperate if new organizations started to ignore him. It might even change how he behaved. I understand this may be a financially tough decision but as journalists you have a responsibility to be reporting accurate information and very little information coming out from this Whitehouse is accurate. Trump's actions are careless and down right dangerous.
1
Do you feel the media is at all responsible for Trump's occupation of the White House? Consider all of the above-the-fold coverage his candidacy received from the NYT, WaPo, et al, and the 24-hour loop of asinine comments that aired on CNN in the run-up to the election. Each story or segment was a free campaign ad. If yes, would you have done anything differently?
Also, what has this presidency done for/to the news media in general and newspaper industry in particular? (As a one-time print journalist, it does my ink-stained heart good to witness the rebirth of the Fourth Estate.)
1
Do you ever feel embarrassed for being American because of Mr. Trump when traveling abroad? Does reporters from other countries give you a hard time, or are they emphatic?
4
How do decide what to emphasize and what not? Even though it would continue to be news in any previous administration, the "hot mic" sexual harassment recording storyline seems to have been abandoned in the interest of covering subsequent "issues."
Why is it that so often statements are attributed to someone without giving a name? We read things like, "someone involved in the situation said" or "those who were in the meeting reported." As readers, we have no way of knowing if these statements are true or not. It is becoming so commonplace - with other news writers too- not just the NYT. I find this upsetting and discouraging.
2
I second this. Why are sources often described as a government official speaking anonymously because he/she is not authorized to address the situation and there is no secondary statement from a named government official who is authorized to speak?
1
I don't care "what it's LIKE to cover the Trump White House."
I want to know when you'll really START covering the Trump White House, and Congress, and the behind-the-scenes destruction of our country by the Republicans?
While Nero fiddles, the news media dances to the tune, the masses –enthralled by the spectacle – laugh and clap while the planet burns.
5
How much credence do you give to the oft repeated claim that President Trump and his administration use certain narratives or issues (most recently NFL players kneeling in protest during the national anthem) as a distraction from other negative stories? Do you believe that there is a broader WH media strategy that seeks to channel or divert attention from certain policies or topics ? Or are they (as it appears to this civilian) merely reacting to the news that Trump generates on a whim?
Thank you very much for all of the incredible reporting that you all continue to do. You all have proven time and time again just how vital a free press is in a democracy.
1
Do you ever really sleep? It seems like so much is happening in early morning and late night tweets.
3
How do you assess the chances of the cabinet acting against Trump under the 25th Amendment?
Is it possible that many Dems want DJT to remain so they have him to run against in 2020 -- either him or his record?
1
Question: How do you determine how much time to devote to Trump's vitreol and lashing out at people who disagree versus factual news reporting about things that have more lasting impact such as what his cabinet is doing to dismantle programs that have a health impact or or a negative impact on the budget in favor of the private sector such as at EPA and Interior? I get concerned the media gets distracted by sound bites. This can let the substantive actions of this administration go unnoticed whether I agree or disagree with the action.
2
Hurray for the free press. That being said - I agree with a few others here about NO coverage of presidential "tweets," unless of course he is tweeting us into a nuclear exchange. Does the press see any benefit to limiting coverage on Trump tweets?
1
If I were conducting an interview with President Trump, I would not be able to resist getting into an argument with him. How do you find the will to resist correcting him, or ‘explaining’ the situation?
1
What does the experience of covering the Trump administration make you think about the future of America's politics and culture? How do you feel about the future? For those of you who have kids, do you worry about how growing up with this man as president will effect their lives? Do you try to remain optimistic- if so how? What gives you hope? Finally, what would you like to see happen in a post Trump era? How could our country be redeemed- for its own citizens and the world?
It's a long question (or series of related questions), but I'd really like to hear you answers because I think they're extremely important. You all are too. Thank you for all the sacrifices you make doing this difficult, vital, work.
Question: What role does the President believe that the Department of Education, Department of Energy and Department of State play in the life of everyday Americans? Does the President maintain some low key type contact with any of the previous Presidents?
I think you need to get the Republican congress on record regarding Trump’s competency to govern. You’ve said they are silent (except for Corker). Can you force a public statement from each of them on the question and report it as a table?
2
Do you ever worry or have frustrations that, as good as your reporting is, that it is in essence preaching to the choir, i.e. your subscriber base?
What can be done to get Republicans, who still overwhelmingly support Trump, to listen to you and absorb what you are reporting? Do you have a view of what it will take to turn the tide of Republican support for Trump?
1
Why do I always read that he's called NAFTA the worst or Obamacare a disaster or the Iran deal some unsubstantiated epithet, and the reporter just lets that statement stand without support? We need to read why he made the claim, and then examine his "evidence" to see if it holds water. If it doesn't, then any follow-on action of his must be called out as unwarranted.
2
Do you feel Trump's tweets are intentionally inflammatory and distracting or just dependant on his mood and the channel he's watching at the time?
1
Please elaborate on the on- or off-the-record understandings that occur between journalists and interview subjects. Are they legally binding? Is an actual record made of an agreement? If a subject revealed something about themselves off-the-record that you knew to be illegal, might you feel bound by higher principles to break the agreement or go to law enforcement, or is it sacrosanct? Finally, has Trump ever gone off the record with any of you, and if so, do you feel compromised?
Question: What is it like to cover a president who has no moral or ethical core? In so many instances he has demonstrated a total lack of basic ethical behavior. For example, in healthcare, he is actually willing to block people from getting health insurance or imposing policies to make it much more difficult to obtain or keep health insurance (90% defunding of advertising for the ACA). At a human level, with people's health and lives at stake, this feels like is patently immoral behavior. It must be challenging to you as reporters to cover someone whose sloganeering is clearly a thin veneer below which is a moral void.
How likely or realistic is it that Trump will be able to limit the freedom of the press, and how could he & his administration go about doing this? (I know this would be unconstitutional but there have already been enactments of these threats by previous administrations.)
1
Many mental health professionals are on record (Bandy Lee, et al., 2017) as believing President Trump is delusional and believes his own words. Assume for a moment this is true and for example, he says the Oval Office is actually rectangular. How do you cover that scenario?
1
Why don't you call out the president when he blatantly lies. Eg saying the US is the most taxed country in the world is a blatant lie he repeats. Why not say so and ask him why he keeps lying?
And why don't you ever ask him to explain how something he claims will happen or work? In the few times he's been asked to explain things he often demonstrates complete non understanding, but even then he's not challenged or followed up on it. Why not?
1
In the Times video piece by Chris Cirillo, “Trump Walks Out. Over and Over Again,” the Times cut together multiple interviews with Mr. Trump as a private citizen, as a candidate, and as president, abruptly ends interviews when pressed to give an answer to questions he doesn’t like, particularly when the questions are about his own personal understanding of the world.
Journalism generally, and I’m sure in covering the White House, requires a balance of having access to the information while still asking difficult questions to keep the public informed.
Knowing that the White House and the President himself may end an interview as he did to John Dickerson, or deny access to press briefings like the White did in February, has that changed how you approach your coverage of or questioning of administration officials or the President, personally?
1
Question: Do Trump and other admin officials act decently towards you on an interpersonal level? Why are so many people in the White House still leaking, even with good old Kelly in charge?
And this is more of an editorial question - but why should the Twitter comments of Trump get as much emphasis in the press as they do? Unless they're about nuclear war, put them in a sidebar box. We are all getting exhausted and frankly, the NFL controversy would not have grown so large without media echoing these dumb tweets.
6
Trump's statement that the NY Times is "fake news" is an insult which may rise to the level of libel. Why doesn't the NY Times vigorously and publicly defend itself?
6
Can you find out if Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders will list the position of "Press Secretary" on her resume after she leaves her WH job, or not include it as it was a fake news event?
She likes to talk about her children, please find out how she explains to her children that her job is to lie every day?
7
How do you justify your abandonment of journalistic standards in your zeal to scrutinize our President in a way you never did regarding the previous occupant of the White House?
4
The previous occupant was a serious person, who didn't take the job as a game.
2
Ms. Huckabee Sanders' press briefings - your thoughts
1
What soul searching has taken place within the New York Times about how it covered Trump during the election and what lessons from that reflection are shifting how the outlet currently covers Trump?
6
How does this administration's treatment of the press effect you personally?
1
I’m always bemused watching reporters trying to keep a straight face at WH briefings and press events with POTUS. Is playing Poker a prerequisite for your job?
4
Why are the Times White House Correspondents thoroughly incapable of getting almost any story without using anonymous sources?
Do you regret the anonymous speculation from the first week of the Trump Administration about staffers unable to operate lightswitches, doorknobs, and of Trump trundling around in his bathrobe railing at TV coverage?
2
How can a legitimate news organization such as The NY Times counter proclamations of “fake news” by the POTUS”?
2
Ever since the story broke about the misconduct involving Harvey Weinstein and his behavior against some women, the attacks keep coming. Yet the media seems to forget not that long ago, women were coming forward about Donald J. Trump. Why are you not going after him and his abuse against women with the same verosity? He's not different or better, or lack of, than Mr. Weinstein?
3
Out of pure curiosity: how do you figure out whether a source is actually well informed or not? What kind of checks do you run? How do you communicate with sources, i.e., how do these people protect themselves from being found out?
Secondly, do you have colleagues from other outlets e.g., Fox News and does their experience of covering the White House feel different to them?
How do you keep yourself from laughing?!
2
How's it feel being like a high school teacher that just caught a student lying in the most moronic way?
2
What is the thought process on covering Donald Trump’s Twitter? Are there times when you think it’s better not to cover a tweet? What’s the editorial process on choosing to include a tweet in an article?
3
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world-0/donald-trump-dangerous-mental-... Is the knowledge that well respected Mental Health Professionals believe POTUS is a threat to Nation the Elephant in the Room among journalists covering D.C.? Why do we not see more coverage more often on this potentially dire threat to our security?
5
Aren't you stretched awfully thin with so many truly frightening things this administration does?
Why even bother sending your top reporters to the WH Press Briefings? It's mostly lies or equivocation, and junior staff reporters could just as easily listen to the drivel. Your best people should be digging into background information, requesting FOIAs, and doing old-fashioned, hard-nosed investigating rather than wasting time at a clown show.
10
As a reader it can feel like a barrage of: alarming teasers about future announcements, rash decisions what may or may not happen, outlandish insults, stories about a “White House in chaos” ...
Do you ever feel that you/the media are playing a role in an intentional WH strategy to keep us in a state of overwhelm, outrage, and confusion?
4
YOU INVITED QUESTIONS FOR TONIGHT's TimesTalk.
I am interested in the NYT's role in creating conditions in which citizens can become sufficiently and factually informed to do their job protecting our democracy and mediating divisiveness.
When will NYT editors dedicate graphics and investigative staff resources to create (and continuously update) a "map" depicting the President's and his Cabinet members' executive actions and their interdependencies? Some of these executive actions have overturned or changed policy hard-won through decades of activism and advocacy. Others institute new policy counter to science and common sense. Most are guided by self-interest not critical thinking. Under reporting and piecemeal reporting are failing us.
Couldn't NYT use this map as a platform for investigating short- and long-term implications of the acts, their interdependencies and unintended(?) consequences?
What about how and what NYT reports these days helps create conditions that enable the critical thinking necessary for citizens' WISE action on behalf of sane governance?
The media's focus on the drama and spectacle of this administration, including journalistic outrage over its assault on the press, has become mind-numbing. None of this "news" is actionable; it is dispiriting; it emboldens the fringe. Has the reporting becomes more about whomever is doing the writing and editing than the world? Has the NYT been snared by the fringes' traps?
11
So very well put Cindy. I hope your message makes it to the panel this evening.
1
Is President Trump still using an unsecured Android cell phone?
1
Mr Trump is not only different, he is unique. He seems to have dictatorial tendencies, and his followers seem to suffer from a form of mass hysteria. Yet he operates within the usual trappings of the executive branch. How does one cover him without normalizing him?
4
1. I've noticed that headlines and lead paragraphs sometimes characterize or interpret events and actions that have the subtle effect of telling readers how they should think about the news being reported.
How do reporters and editors avoid editorializing in straight news stories?
I think knowing the criteria that reporters and editors follow may help limit the Trump administration's claim that you are reporting fake news and undermine his claims of editorial bias in straight news stories.
2. With the current conflict between North Korea and the United States potentially leading to war, what has the NY Times learned from the Judith Miller episode that lead to the Iraq war?
I realize that reporters are often only as good as the sources they cultivate, but it seems that the higher level the source, the greater the fear of crossing that person.
How do you avoid being manipulated or used as a mouthpiece in service of your source's agenda?
It takes time and money to verify information and with the pressure that comes with wanting to break news first, isn't there a risk that the Judith Miller episode could happen again?
2
How do you cover the White House with a non-judgmental straight face? When Trump or someone in the White House says something offensive or inaccurate, how do you resist the urge to say something like, "What in the world are you saying right now? That's wildly inaccurate and you know it. Why do you live in this alternate reality?" ... It must be hard, day after day, to resist throwing your hands up and walking out.
8
The NYT, your writers and 98% of your readership is so obviously left leaning and anti Trump. The entire list of questions being asked are about Trump and your readers’ contempt for the man. Is it even possible for your writers to report impassionately on Trump in such an environment? Is it conceivable that there may be another perspective than that of your writers? Can your writers “report” rather than try to influence with their own biases?
2
The rules change somewhat when you have a leader in power for whom nothing is serious.
Presuming that each of you has personally met and conversed with President Trump, I have a two part question:
A: Is he nicer to you in private than the nasty attitude he takes towards the press in public forums?
B: Do you think there is any credence to the gossip that he is mentally unfit to serve?
4
Hello,
I get the Daily Morning Briefing, and I’ve noticed a difference in White House coverage between the Obama and the Trump administrations.
I know that most people have a lot of issues with Trump. I will admit that I did not vote for him. He’s not the most professional president that we’ve ever had, and he’s certainly one of the most unconventional. And I know that Trump is not a fan of the media. However, I noticed that throughout his administration, the New York Times consistently referred to Obama as “President Obama.” The same publication calls Trump “Mr. Trump” or just “Trump.” It might be a small thing, but it an example of an ever-increasing slant that I am seeing not only at the Times, but throughout the news industry.
I find this slant distressing. I earned a degree in journalism from Colorado State University in 1996. While I was in school, I learned that the press is typically a liberal entity. However, I also learned that unless it’s an opinion piece, the nation’s journalists are to report the facts—nothing more, nothing less. That is part of what makes a writer a professional journalist. I’m not saying that I believe in what Trump calls “fake news.” This is something that I’m noticing in the Times, CNN, local media—everywhere.
I am wondering if you have noticed the same trend. Is it discussed in your newsrooms? Does the industry try to avoid this obvious bias?
Thank you,
Lisa
The premise of your question is incorrect. The Times is following the same style when referring to President Trump as it did when referring to President Obama, and all other presidents.
Trump does not take his job seriously. Perhaps that is why he is not treated as a serious president, or as a president at all.
Hi.
As a daily reader of the NYT I just wanted to reply. When Obama was in office, the NYT on did, fairly often, refer to President Obama as Mr. Obama. The Mr is neutral.
In fact, almost all liberal news outlets referred to Obama in this way.
Hope that clears things up.
Today's (Oct 12th) morning news by the NYTimes states that Trump has threatened NBC by "using government power on licenses." How has this news been taken by the New York Times and its affiliates? Is there a reason for concern? If so, how will the New York Times adjust?
1
How often does the NY Times consider changing the strategy on cover Trump? Has there been any conversation about more fact checking live press briefings before airing them to the public?
2
Why not set an example for the rest of the media and stop covering the joke that the WH briefings are?
4
Do you ever have to tone down your reporting or cover up things like, maybe the Chief of Staff telling you privately that DT is crazy or something, in an effort to preserve the country? I think that Ronald Reagan was exhibiting dementia before he left office but it wasn’t spoken about by the press.
3
How can the NYT present its White House reporting as unbiased when the newspaper officially endorsed the losing candidate for President? Does the perception of bias hurt the NYT's reputation as a "national" newspaper given the strong emotions generated by the 2016 presidential election?
Is Trump as unhinged as he appears in the media.
Is there any part of his agenda of destruction that actually does anything positive for the nation
2
You are assigned today to write Donald Trump's obituary. What is your lead?
What would you say?
3
As investigative reporters, do you ever have a sense that getting to the truth is a waste of time since people believe what they want to believe, truth be damned?
My question...
I have read a few articles of late that tell of Trump loosing his temper, freaking out, melting down, rampaging, furiously etc....
Have you spoken to anyone who witnessed such things and could describe the scene with more detail?
Also, has anyone ever seen him genuinely laugh? Not sneering or snarling, a belly laugh or a milk snorting gaffaw. Does he have any sense of humor?
I am interested in/curious about the oddities of his twisted personality.
2
Not being sarcastic, but exactly how is Trump making America great again? Given our current state, Our country is far from being great.
3
Why does the press constantly allow Trump (by way of coverage) to change focus from important to trivial matters? Hold this man and his administration accountable!
8
Please discuss the desirability of impeaching Trump in view of the result, a President Pence. My personal view is that we're saved from a lot of damage from Trump by his political ineptitude. Pence in contrast is an experienced politician with years in the House before he became Governor and so would be much more effective. Also Pence has in my opinion worse views than Trump om several issues such as abortion.
1
Can the phrase fake news be included in direct Quotes attributable to the president but not at other times? It’d be nice to isolate the phrase to him.
I’m a subscriber interested in continuing developments in Puerto Rico. I don’t know anyone there but do care.
2
Tougher questions are targeted towards Press Secretary. Tough job for her, as a company (man) woman. As journalists know answers will be sidestepped.
Who corners? Trump, with the same vigor on his lies and fabrications.
Dear Ms. Haberman, Mr. Baker & Mr. Baquet,
First, I admire your collective work these many months and wish you well in the coming months and years.
Having covered the Obama, possibly Bush, and now Trump administrations, can you please compare and contrast how each communicates official information to the American people through the press?
I don't think this is as simple a question as 'How has your day job changed since January 20th' (the answer may be simply 'twitter') because my question is colored by differing political parties as well as differing personalities. That said, my concern is that, while so much news (and noise) comes from the current occupant of the White House, there is still so much that we don't and may never know, like who sees the president at Mar-a-Lago, Bedminster, and the White House. Plus leaks to the press and undisclosed sources seem to have become the norm more so now than before. Can you please comment?
1
I am a Media Studies & Production major at Temple University. Thank you for your work. I am curious about how you each think evolving media technologies (television to computers to smartphones, etc) have had on forming the public's basic concepts of what "politics" is.
1
This is a two part question. The recent NBC news story regarding his desire to increase the US Nuclear warhead arsenal ten-fold appears to really have rattled the president. The banner of the NBC story, "Trump Wanted to Make Nuclear Stockpile Nearly 10 Times Bigger" from my perspective, appears to have missed the point of the article. Given his personality, he wanted the have the biggest, most powerful, the most and was incensed that the current Nuclear arsenal wasn't. And given that Trump likely didn't read the article, the banner could be taken as misleading. Questions are as follows: 1) How do you ensure that an article banner accurately reflects the underlying story? and 2) How do you ensure multiple sources are being candid, truthful, and not selectively disclosing facts on a potentially inflammatory matter such as this?
The Times coverage of Donald Trump has a consistently negative spin. It is of course true that Trump's words and actions invite condemnation, yet when news reporting appears to be too subjective, it loses legitimacy. I see two serious problems that have emerged: 1. When the "news" reporting is constantly negative in tone, his supporters defend him and discount the facts, merely reacting to the tone of the discussion. 2. When someone is always shouting, people stop listening. When Trump is constantly ridiculed and criticized, even for minor things, many people stop paying attention. They react with indifference, thinking "Oh, that's just the way the Times always talks about Trump." Is the Times subjective tone in news coverage about Trump in fact serving to encourage defense of his words and actions?
2
What do you think the chances are that congress will move to impeachment and remove him from office or enact the 25th amendment?
3
Tom Friedman wrote a few years ago ,a book about the world becoming flat.This mean , everything get the same share of relevance in terms of impact and timing, like the story of the flying butterfly: what happen anywhere it affect instantly everywhere, which make the real issues rather than ideology what matter most.In such scenario, the news media play like either a mediator or a referee role for society to get their own judgment before working out solutions. How far is actually the news media to serve that role? .Does Fake news complains, mean a signal of the news media dominated by ideology, to impose upon society their own point of view?
Why do you refer to the President as Mr. Trump and never President Trump? You always referred to past presidents as President Obama and President Bush etc.
What do you need from the American people to do your jobs better? I feel recently we the people have asked a lot of you folks after not valuing your work as much in previous years. Tom Hanks got you a new coffee machine, but what can we do for you?
2
I understand why Republicans don't denounce Trump publicly because of primary fears or the crass desire to get their right wing agendas through, but why do so-called high level administration sources leak stories about the president rampaging or shouting or having a tantrum in the Oval Office? What self-interest are they serving by blabbing? It is a crass looking out for myself when the ship goes down mentality, or some other cry for help from those held hostage within this administration of chaos and dysfunction?
I think you are either referring to the Trump MISadministration or using the concept of administration very loosely.
For Maggie and Peter: Is it a mental challenge, even head-spinning, to have to always report Trump's answers or comments, while at the same time having to ponder how truthful they are? And whether you should note it immediately, if they are not, or hold off rather than interrupt the flow?
Donald Trump seems determined to turn the US into a 5th rate entity. Why is there not more reportage about any movement to remove him from office? One article about the 25th amendment and impeachment (no guarantees there...) is not enough. Do the lack of column inches reflect the lack of movement toward ousting this man?
1
Having a narcissistic personality disorder is not an impeachable offense. Are WH reporters familiar with the 11 most common symptoms, and do they focus on his related patterns of behavior that will lead to that inescapable conclusion? This may help our nation get around such a dangerous chapter in our history, as the President's significant personal storm will be himself. Then we can return to the calm.
1
Why had Trump not once mentioned what is happening in California? Has he written them off for some political or personal reason? I've yet to see or hear of a statement of sympathy or support for what is going on there.
2
Is there any way that you can be more explicit when you say things like 'sources close to the (fill in the blank)' without breaking some confidentiality rule? To see good reporting disparaged on the right because you can't be more forthcoming about the actual source makes it hard to turn the narrative.
Based on his tweets and offhand comments, Trump appears to be an avid viewer of partisan talk-shows such as Fox and Friends and Sean Hannity. I also see news stories about White House staff fighting about control over which information gets to the President. Can you shed any more light on the President’s consumption of information, both from independent news outlets and government agency reports?
During the campaign and throughout his presidency, President Trump has offered highly simplistic solutions to the world's problems, which suggests he is unable to deal with the nuances of complex issues. He promised to bring back coal, without explaining how it will compete with natural gas or the environment. He called for a travel ban without contemplating its impact on our economy or refugees. He appears unable to understand that one can protest and be patriotic, and that our flag stands more than the military. The wall will solve our immigration problems. The media is the enemy. Why not press him more on his understanding of these issues by asking more straight factual questions? Has he seen firsthand the impact of mountain top removal on the environment in WVA? Has he ever met with a Syrian refugee family? Does he know how many journalists have been killed during Putin's reign? Has he read the Constitution?
1
To what extent do you think his “colorful” personality causes coverage of him to divert attention from the, arguably, more profound effects on the country/world of more prosaic, dull, regulatory actions by the agencies? I know you cover them but are you concerned about making them more visible and the discussion more engaging?
Why continue to cover his tweets.
2
As psychiatrists (highly relevant to this discussion), we meet and talk with people either individually or in small groups. Press conferences are different, the emotional heat turned up. Despite his carnival-level showmanship (well-learned on Times Square when he was but a lad), Mr. Trump may well fear crowds and react with a skillful leap to attack. He protects himself by putting down others and changing the subject. A good psychiatrist first takes time to listen and understand the subject's viewpoint (asking all those questions that can get uncomfortable). Some things look like "lies" at first but may be distortions the subject believes in (for the moment). The psychiatrist doesn't wait too long to express his or her own view of reality, but doesn't push it if he wants a conversion. It takes a back-and-forth exchange, with listening (different from a press conference), to see whether there is a bit of trust and understanding. We did recommend that the American Psychiatric Association initiate this in February but they decided to lie low. Have you at the NYT looked into the possibility of a SMALL interview with Mr. Trump, perhaps two or three interviewers (of various political leanings), in a quiet room (providing him with his favorite drink)? We have seen Charlie Rose do something like this on occasion. Michael Kinsley used to. Most conversations don't go anywhere unless the participants feel a degree of safety with each other. Bill and Mary Alice Houghton
1
Trump has no credibility. Zero. Absolutely none. Aside from the fact that he's the most powerful man in the country, why should the public hang on his every word when he himself seems to consider those words meaningless? If we shouldn't hang on his every word, why are reporters? Is this dangerous in light of the tendency that Trump uses journalists to spread news of collateral and relatively inconsequential issues - like the NFL - to divert attention away from seemingly more important and concrete problems?
I’d like to see a story on court challenges to Trump’s executive orders and moves by his Cabinet secretaries to roll back regulations, and how many of them have been stopped as well as how many have gone into effect, if any.
I would like to see regular updates on all of the networks, news broadcasts, and newspapers that President Trump has called "fake news". It seems that this list is becoming quite lengthy and that he is encouraging Americans to not trust journalist except for a few networks or publications.
When you visit with journalism students or work with your interns, how to do address this? It seems that the credibility of journalism as a profession is under attack.
1
POTUS has a particular way of speaking as you know. When you see or hear him, the meaning of his words are usually clear. Transcribed, they often take on new meaning.
Your reporters rightly analyze his words verbatim from transcript not always noting the divergence.
But is that fair when you can hear that he clearly meant something different? How do you maintain balance and minimize bias with someone who speaks so imprecisely?
1
How do you develop sources within the WH? Do you wait for them to seek you out? Do you develop relationships you think might be fruitful at some point? And what does a 'good source' relationship look like? Is it very chummy, drinks and meals? Is it more arms length? And is it once a source, always a source or more complicated?
Thanks NYT for doing such a great job.
I have always had the impression that when he would talk about an agreement (Iran, NAFTA, etc.), as the the worst, I have always had the idea that he never actually read the agreement. it is still my impression that he has never actually read any agreement but he is trapped by these hyperbolic statements from the campaign. do you think he actually has read any of these agreements and therefore has specific policy concerns? Thank you
1
I second all of the questions below re: speaking truth to the Liar-in-Chief. I'm interested to know whether the many challenges of covering the Trump Administration have translated to a need for new hires for reporting, editing, fact-checking, etc. If so, how many?
It seems to me that the Trump presidency is receiving more coverage than previous administrations. For example, I don't recall daily press briefings being covered live on multiple channels and other outlets when President Obama was in the White House.
1. Is this because the media believes Trump drives ratings? That to not cover him constantly will cost them viewers?
2. Does this constant coverage "normalize" his actions which often are "off the rails" so to speak? Does it give him opportunity to continuously cause controversy to cover his mistakes?
Have Trump's attacks on the media changed the way media outlets relate to each other? Is there a greater sense of cooperation against a common threat, or is there a greater sense of competition?
Mr.Trump’s style is not that of a conventional President. Do you feel that the typical “conventions of reporting” are changing due to this President’s nature. If so, how?
Many quotes from anonymous White House sources seem to indicate that the President is often confused by the limits of what his office can do (i.e. bumping up against Judicial or Legislative issues). In your opinion, does the President fully understand of the role of the Executive Branch within the larger US Government structure?
1
How do you manage dealing with the incredible pace of news that this administration produces? It seems both nonstop and wildly unpredictable; are you all exhausted? Or perhaps overstimulated? Are some of the traditional norms of the job altered by this most non-traditional president? And,Maggie, how do you handle being the only member of the "Failing NY Times" Trump has actually liked?
Can you stop reinforcing his extremism by giving it so much attention? I think it would be better if top tier reporters stopped "ambulance chasing" and committed themselves to real data and real facts.
1
How do you deal with the constant lying from this President? It has been reported that he utters complete and provable falsehoods at least 5 times a day. Times readers have noted that there is almost a daily column that "explains" the lies or shades of untruths that come from him...Can we ever expect that he will be somehow shamed into speaking more truthfully?
The editors and journalists here at The NY Times have helped me learn so much. I find it disheartening when there’s nothing this current administration helps me learn. I feel as if we accept that these individuals who teach us so little are the ones that drive the narrative which is accepted at such a massive scale.
Is there ever an attempt for you to drive the narrative in any of these discussions with these politicians? It seems they hold a giant laser and the rest of us are cats darting to where they point it next.
1
It seems to me from reading your earlier interviews Ms. Haberman, that the POTUS is desperate to be liked and appreciated by serious jounalists such as yourself. And yet he can't help the infantile response when he hears something he dosen't like. You have managed to ask some fairly pointed questions and I wonder, does he start to bristle at the asking or does he maintain a semblance of decorum. And if I may ask a second, have you not had the absolute urge to busrt out laughing during one of your interviews.
Thank you for your brilliant, insightful reporting on this American crisis.
1
I think the White House Press Corp should boycott the briefings until the President does them himself. After all, if we elected him to the highest office in the land, and he has two degrees, shouldn't he be able to speak for himself?
1
Question:
Can you think of - or relate - effective counter-measures that White House reporters might employ to (better) deal with Trump's (so-called-) press-event "thank-you minions"? I.e., the White House "press-shooers" that regularly shout "thank you, thank you" (often) after only a couple of press questions. (And the usual non-answer answers.) Other Trump admin. members also appear to employ "thank-you minions" at their events as well..
E.g., if I were in that role I'd (at least sometimes) try to "stand my ground" for awhile and keep asking questions... maybe (find a way to) get under the president's (thin) skin and possibly elicit a real response of some kind. Etc.
How is it possible for Trump to unilaterally back out of the Iran nuclear "deal"? Are there no checks and balances to prevent a president from taking such ill-advised action? I would appreciate a NYT journalist's in-depth explanation of how far, and if, Trump can take the U.S. out of the "worst deal ever made." His own personal agenda is to win at all costs, and forget about it if that means the other side(s) lose.
How is covering the Trump White House similar to and different from other beats you've worked for the Times and other publications vis-a-vis sourcing, access to the principal, etc.?
1
How has sources' openness changed since John Kelly became chief of staff? Did his imposing "discipline" in the White House have any effect?
Is the 25th Amendment possible?
With the latest threat from Trump to curtail the broadcasting license of NBC and presumably any other organization that opposes him, has The NY Times given thought about joining with other media organizations to sue the administration over possible First Amendment violations?
Is Stephen Miller a Native American? If not (ha), why is he so intent on not allowing others into the US?
Could you please share how you verify your anonymous sources, and your journalistic standards when using them in reporting? Since the President likes to dismiss anonymous sourcing as "fake news", it might help clarify some of the misinformation about this part of the journalistic process.
1
It's the same as babysitting. You never know what the baby-in-chief will do or say at the next moment. He's a spoiler brat who thinks the world of himself. Sadly, he's the same person who has the nuclear codes at his side!
Since the president does not accept real or imagined slights, and challenges to his truths, what can effectively be done about it.
Do you think he is truly a danger to this country, and the world, and if so, what can anybody (congress?) do about it.
Is he succeeding in breaking apart both political parties.
What are his fully formed beliefs.
What astonishes me is why none of the reporters ever irrupt in staightforward rage when once again they are treated to a lie? Or break out in guffaws? Or start to cry!
6
As a Canadian watching with despair, outrage, and disbelief what is going on south of the border daily, I have to ask - because this affects us too re:NAFTA and future fallout from bizarre, delusional, and demented 'reasoning' from the Whitehouse - is the United States allowing itself to be destroyed by a fascist and racist administration?
6
Have you had difficulty keeping a straight face/been tempted to laugh out loud in response to White House Press Secretaries' responses?
14
What do you personally do to decompress, relax, find some inner peace, etc. from what has to be one of journalism's most demanding, exasperating, depressing, and unconventional reportorial assignments? Thank you.
3
How well did your journalism education/career experiences prepare you for covering daily insanity?
6
Please have someone tally how many cleaner energy jobs Trump's policies help save, e.g. In coal, vs how many his policies were largely responsible for killing, e.g. In solar, wind, efficiency. Thank you!
2
Two questions, kind of related.
First, are the White House press briefing at all informative or are they just more propaganda?
Second, how do you separate the white noise chatter from actual news?
2
I notice that during White House press briefings SHS often gives her own personal views when asked about something Trump has done or said. what is the protocol for saying "we want the official WH explanation, not your personal opinion"?
8
Questions:
Mr Trump lies, when he states which taxpayers benefit from the Tax Cut. Why can't journalists breach the president's claims?
Mr Trump lies, when he claims that a "wall" will protect the U.S. from drugs, smuggling, crime, and jobs. Same question.
Mr Trump lies, when he claims that journalistic investigation results in 'fake' news. Same question.
3
I would like to know how difficult it is to maintain the facade that what you are doing is in any way a normal journalistic exercise or that the White House officials you deal with are deserving the respect ordinarily befitting their roles in light of the constant lies, deceptions and unadulterated nonsense being spewed in lieu of serious factual briefings on matters of state?
2
The WH response explaining the President's inane tweets or comments is that the President was joking.
What proof, incident, or video exists of the president saying ANYTHING that is truly humorous, or has a modicum of wit, or that he has any ability to laugh, that could support the "joking" defense?
I have followed DJT for years, and considered him interesting and outspoken , but a long distance from humorous.
The Press Secretary needs to be reminded that in order for a joke to have occurred a laugh must follow.
2
What is the change in the news cycle from this administration as compared to previous administrations?
1
What culpability to NYT writers and editors believe that they have for creating the current administration? What will NYT writers and editors do in the future to avoid repeating this debacle?
13
As a follow-up, what responsibility does your weather reporting have for the recent devastating hurricanes?
It took four days after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico for President Trump to acknowledge the disaster. It appears that it will be at least four days after Californians were dislocated, injured, or killed before the president will so much as comment on the deadly calamity.
1. Is the press not able to solicit more immediate personal responses from the president regarding events that call for an immediate federal response?
2. Has The Times tried to get Mr. Trump’s opinions, plans and feelings regarding the California firestorms?
3
What grade on his Presidency to date. Overall-- comprehension of world affairs, interaction with global leaders, management of U.S. Crisis, interaction with journalists, Congress, ability to learn on the fly, Geez never mind-- "F" We all know it..........
2
Don't you ever want to just tell him off?? Especially when he's obviously lying. Like the 'fine people on both sides' comment
5
How do you work with sources nowadays. My only knowledge of this is the movie, All the President's Men. I'm sure you're not putting plants in windows. Can you just call them up or text them? Do they call you? Can't their phones be tracked? How do you cultivate a source? It seems like for reporters in other industries, if a critical piece is written, sources and leads dry up or sour. But this doesn't seem to happen in DC - or does it?
There's so much leaking out of the Trump administration it's hard to believe people have the time to actually get work done. Do you have favorite sources that you work with? Are these people prominent and more obscure?
Wasn't Kenneth Vogel sitting in an outdoor restaurant patio talking to a source when he got his scoop? When do you need to be private with a source and when can you be publicly seen talking to them?
4
How do you keep track of all the details that are being reported from both the NYT and other media outlets? For example, the Russia investigation throws off so many details whose value isn't immediately clear, but maybe months later these details fit into the larger puzzle.
As a citizen I find it all very difficult to get my brain around. It would be nice if there were weekly or monthly recaps to put everything into perspective.
3
After seeing what Kansas went through, it's hard for me to believe that the tax-cuts-driving-growth argument still works. Yet the Trump administration and many congressional republicans still spout this argument. I don't recall seeing reporters actively respond to these politicians with the lessons learned from Kansas. Why is this? Why aren't reporters actively pushing back with the facts from Kansas?
3
What is your greatest fear about Trump and the GOP that is abetting him ?
I realize that this is a slanted question but then Trump is a mentally ill conman.
3
When does the Times finally acknowledge that our president is adept at using Twitter to bypass progressive leftist corporate media?
And a follow up:
Do you think that the president genuinely believes that using Twitter to insult and berate others, divert attention from his mistakes and self-made scandals, send mixed foreign-policy messages that are counterproductive, and broadcast outright lies is a true substitute for a free press? Or is he simply delusional?
Most of these comments are asking essentially the same thing, which is: how does a news reporter stay sane in the irrational world of Trumpian politics? Do you just report what you're told? Do you question virtually everything? Do you pick and choose your battles? Do you laugh yourself silly on the inside while maintaining a quiet dignity in your presentation of self? Do you lend credence to the sheer insanity of it all by playing the game with a straight face? When do you throw caution to the wind and call out the partial truths, the blatant lies, and the sheer nonsense emanating from the White House? I don't envy you your jobs, but I envy your resolve to continue doing them in the name of freedom of the press and its profound contribution to democracy.
3
Do you ever point out the lies that Trump tells when he's telling them?
1
When NBC reports trump wanted to up our nuclear arsenal by a factor of ten, do you believe NBC or trump?
In a pitch-black room, I miss hitting a dartboard almost every time. And I'm trying. trump's success record with truthful statements is even less. If his statements are factual, it is purely accidental.
His lies, however, are less damaging to all Americans than is his malice.
Whatever your excuse, greed, racism, gun-love, hatred of women, party loyalty, failure to condemn trump is just that: failure.
First of all I applaud the NYT for their efforts.
What methods can the New York times employ to frame
Its reporting, thats is often steeped in bias that of the reporter whom exhibits traits that of a ignored child lashing out at the parent, through the lense of the middle class worker who has been been effected by the devastation of unhinged globalization.
I would like a broad enough spectrum (sources not only of opposed commentary) within the confines of point / counterpoint against every issue reported. The good, the bad and the ugly.
I have this vision of NYT reporters covering Trump getting together regularly at a favorite watering hole after work and expressing their opinions about POTUS.
A daily video about these gatherings on Discovery Channel would bring me millions, so I humbly ask if you all would consent to participating in the show? Working title: Covfefe Unplugged.
1
1) Maggie/Peter, do you feel you have adequate staffing to challenge inaccurate information on the spot? In essence, in order to expose false narratives immediately...do you have the capacity to provide facts?
2) NYT subscriptions are not free. Breitbart is, what ideas do you have to ensure accurate information is shared with All Americans irrespective of income? I believe if more Americans had free access to truthful information, propaganda would not have much influence. How can we help you guys?
4
Do you see on this administration, beyond the President, tendencies that can be qualified as authoritarian? Are you concerned about the constant attacks to free press and freedom of expression when they collide with the views of the President? Do you think this Administration can be brought to moderation by the Congress?
I am Argentine and a very interested person in history as a source for understanding present and future. Do you find any similarities in the behaviour and actions of this Administration and South American elected-turned authoritarian governments, in which nepotism and corruption are prevalent?
1
With this malevolent charade of calling the truth lies, coupled with the role of big money in elections, has our democracy already died?
Has anyone considered asking the remaining, living, presidents of both parties or, if more palatable, just the Republican presidents, to serve as a supervisory group for Trump? It isn’t an ideal solution and I doubt he’d ever accept it, but the alternative - Trump on his own- is worse.
Do you ever worry that you’re missing the bug stories that history will remember? I’m curious what kinds of questions do you ask yourselves in an effort to try to keep that from happening.
are hip flasks coming back into vogue among the press corps?
5
Would reporters please consider that when they cover Trump's lies and outrageous statements with a lot of attention and hype, they might be fueling his fire? His outrageousness gets him attention, and attention of any kind is what he craves. He wants minutes, hours of air time and inches of front page columns with lots of pictures.
Don't report the nonsense sensationally; give it minimal space, neutral language and put it on back pages." Today Mr. trump said/played golf ..... " Cover actual policy considerations, debates and decisions, the cabinet and agency debates and decisions in depth, because the public needs to know and better understand the long term consequences of this Administration's cabinet, committees and agencies.
But please don't give the bluster and nonsense your megaphone. Trump will probably become even more outrageous (maybe he'll self-implode) but sometimes INATTENTION and dismissal can be very effective in exposing and neutralizing destructive pathologies. Minimalize him, shrink his personality presence in the media while educating the public about the ramifications of policy decisions. You can do that while maintaining journalistic integrity.
8
I agree. How about a moratorium? Despite the real tragedies, it was nice not having #45 on the front pages for a while. I quit my Yahoo! account because I was not interested in what they were dishing up; I just wanted my email. I don't subscribe to FB or any of the other social media platforms that rob folks of having to think for themselves.
We are woefully out of balance here; it's all too much. Readers and citizens have to unplug, disengage from >bloop<
1
We can look back at Ronald Reagan who took office at age 69 and who suffered incipient dementia during his time in office. Trump is now 71. Is the Times willing to do a fresh, major investigative series of Page 1 stories about Trump's mental state and what that portends for the remainder of his first term and the future security of our nation and the world?
3
Initially things that the candidate and now president did and said seemed so outrageous and unacceptable but now they are the norm -- he keeps doing and saying crazy things and getting away with them. How do you avoid falling into a sense of resignation and acceptance, that this is the new normal and OK? And, are you always hounding Republicans to express their concerns openly? Why don't more of them speak up?
1
I don't like reading about Trump. I can't imagine what it must be like writing, editing, and rewriting about him again and again and again. Yet, I admire you what you do and I hope you keep showing up for work. Each of you is my personal matador. Thanks.
3
Whenever I read one of the Times' interviews with Trump, they journalists seem to be trying to walk a line between appearing to be responsible journalists and avoiding any challenge to the undefined or incoherent premises of what Mr. Trump says. They seem afraid of confrontation to the point of being dishonest. Of course journalists act that way toward politicians more and more, but it's more striking with Mr. Trump because so much of what he says makes no sense at all.
I don't really have a question for Mr. Trump, because it seems obvious at this point that only a fool would expect to learn anything from what he says. But it would help restore faith in journalism if reporters would actually ask him serious questions & demand serious answers--and especially not let themselves be led into pointless & self-serving discussions of political strategy.
3
This President scares us and we have read that he needs to be distracted with other items.
So... can we start asking lots of questions about his golf game, how many days in 2016 he spent with his son Barron, how his wife obtained her citizenship, where his favorite manufacturer for products his hotel uses are located?
Better yet: name a close friend that is Hispanic, is disabled, or is middle class?
Lastly, do you know you keep many citizens up each night with fear from your Impulsiveness and uninformed decision making?
I empathize with you every day.
Fondly, Colleen
PS Name a democracy that has their family as key advisors.
4
Remember " Billy Beer" under Carter?
Trump and his administration have sometimes undercut individual reporters publicly. He has also peddled lies on the spot. Has there ever been moments when the press has thought of staging some sort of protest? Maybe by agreeing to all ask the same question until it's answered; Or, by defending a fellow reporter after one of his scoldings? At what point do reporters strike back, on the spot, in the pit, live mics on? At what point do you publicly defend your honor when he publicly attacks it? Also, how does his "fake news" and his "failing NY Times" lies change the dynamic when reporting? His it difficult to remain objective when he tries to push your buttons?
4
From where I live, a substantial increase
in nuclear weapons seems crazy, except, when so many (other) crazy world players trying to do it? What is MAD deterrence if there was never a conceivable situation where we'd use them militarily, to prevent another bad actor going into MAD capability? Should Trump fear his cabinet, per the 25th amendment? How about sounding them out, quietly?
There seems to be a form of "upsmanship" between news media reporters that allows Trump to manipulate them time-after-time. Can all of you successfully "collude" to never publish any of his "danglers" wherein he launches a teaser for some future decision and waits for the ratings and stories above the fold to crowd out the real agenda? Is the competition to be first beating back the notion of what is news and what is hype?
21
How can you bear it?
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I would add: how do you cope with the frustration of Sander's so called briefings? Do you gnash your teeth or what?
As an aspiring journalist, it can be disheartening to see the hard work of accomplished journalists being discredited as "fake news." What keeps you motivated to do your job and what advice do you have for the next generation of White House reporters?
2
I would love to hear all your thoughts on the balance between calling out lies/on-the-spot fact-checking/asking hard questions and pushing for good responses/etc. and maintaining a relationship with POTUS/WH for the sake of potentially bigger scoops and insights in the future?
As a POTUS driven almost entirely by ego, how have each of you decided to tow the line between 'absolute truth' and relational maintenance? Do you all have specific examples of when you decided to not push on a topic for the sake of not risking the relationship for future insights?
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Why do you look for a change in the narrative instead of simply describing what happened? The situation is less normal than you often present it to be.
Hasn't the president demonstrated ignorance often enough to no longer merit any benefit of the doubt? Why not ask him questions like, "How do you think x [e.g., health insurance] works, exactly?" or "Who specifically is saying/not saying you're doing a great job at x?"
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I agree with a comment below: this administration must be held accountable for its unrelenting lies and dangerous misrepresentations. I would like a running tally of lies and mistruths front page digital and print edition. But more so, I want reporters to call out lies when they happen. Bring along fact checkers. Hold on like a tiger baring its claws and don't let go of a single lie until they admit they're lying. Then go on to the follow up: why did you just lie to me and the American people?
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I know that as objective journalists you can't do this, but as an average American who sees how many lies and falsehoods the President says every single day, shouldn't we move into not believing anything he says until it is fact-checked as true, instead of the opposite?
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It must be very difficult to listen to the same spin, Trump self promotion, and blatant lies told by Sarah Huckabee, and Trump on a daily basis when you are trying to find truthful answers. We know they lie, you know they lie, and they know they lie, yet most reporters will refer to their statements as "falsehoods", "misspoke", "mistakes". I understand diplomacy, but why are writers, in your opinion, tip toeing through the barrage of lies leveled at the U.S. public on a daily basis?
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Why has the press not covered Trumps war with companies that produce jobs in the U.S. such as the NFL , ESPN, media outlets, Boeing, and so many other businesses that he has negatively and publicly targeted or tried to ruin. Why isn't this a significant news story?
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Does the President have a sense of humor? Does he have the ability to laugh at himself ?
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NO.
Let's start being honest and call a lie a lie. Why not cause these people to face up to the falsehoods they have been spreading for the past 9 months? It's time to label the white house for what it is, a group of very scared people who dare not cross the moron they wok for. THIS IS AMERICA. Let's start requiring them to be Americans.
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@Karn, I agree with your first statement but not that you use a synonym in the very next line.
I don't note this as a personal jab but as an example of how both the WH and the Media has succeeded in programming us to use a list of synonyms instead of using the most factual word. "lie".
I catch myself doing this, so again, this is not a personal shot but a more global observation.
It would be awesome if all of the reporters agreed to ask the same simple questions of the pretender in the white house and demand an honest answer. It may all be covered as "fake" news but potentially there "could" be some real dialogue.
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This administration tends to blame "leakers" for stories that they'd rather not have reported. Can you explain the difference between reporting based on anonymous sources versus those based on unauthorized leaks? In August, Jeff Sessions claimed that leaks had tripled under Trump. Is Sessions correct?
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How many more days do you think Kelly has before he calls it quits?
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When are reporters going to call out obvious lies? To their face?
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Are at least refuse to air live press briefing till after everything has been fact-checked.
Given Trump's extreme reactivity, do you ever worry that your questions will provoke some crazy or harmful presidential action? For example, in January, Mara Liasson asks Sean Spicer, if massive voter fraud took place in 2016, as Trump claims, why doesn't the administration investigate it? The next day, Trump says he will investigate it, and now, lo and behold we have this bogus commission run by the country's biggest advocates of voter suppression. Do you consciously try to avoid asking questions that may "dare" the president to take action, and if not, should you?
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Question. Too often the president tells proveable lies, such as when he claimed Trump tower was bugged. How difficult is it to ask the president, to his face in an interview or rare news conference: where did you get that information?
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Why don't we hear 'That's just a complete lie' more at White House Press briefings and press conferences?
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When I listen to Sen. Corker's comments, it seems that there is an unspoken understanding between everyone in Washington (reporters and politicians) about Trump's behavior. Is this true and can you elaborate on it more?
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How do Maggie Haberman and Peter Baker not lose perspective, their ability to objectively put newest developments into context given the constant, non-stop news stream and commentary from so many sides?
8
How do you keep yourself personally grounded when facing daily fire hose from White House?
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What is your observation of the morale of WH communications staff behind the scenes?
23
Please ask the President how he plans to fulfill US duties under Article 6 of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to negotiate the elimination of nuclear weapons.
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How do the reporters save themselves from the hopelessness they must feel covering the mental instability of the place, the White House, that is?
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At times do you feel like your head is about to explode?
25
This all seems so crazy to me. Why don't the White House staffers seek help from the Democratic Party, or a few Republicans, and try to impeach him? You wonder if they really love their/this country if they help to continue this charade.
I am very afraid for my country.
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When the writers appear as commentators on television, how does the awareness that the president may watch their appearance influence how they talk about his personal qualities?
12