The President attacked The New York Times this morning in a series of tweets, congratulating it’s new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger, but then warning that this may be the newspaper’s last chance to fulfil the vision of its founder of “impartially.” He implored the paper to hire journalists of a higher standard and to lose their “phony and non-existent” sources. But despite his frequent excoriating of the paper, the President often finds himself giving not just interviews but exclusive interviews to the paper, in which he breaks significant news.
The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, “to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved.” Get…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
….impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent “sources,” and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you won’t have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
In July of last year, the President gave an extended interview to the Times in which he heavily criticized his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for recusing himself from the Russia probe, and said he would not hired him if he had known he would do so. In another exclusive interview just last week, the President spoke to the Times on a wide range of issues, from China and North Korea, to his frustration with Capitol Hill Democrats for not making more of an effort at bipartisanship.
Most notably, revealed that he believes he’s being treated “fairly” by Russia investigation special counsel Robert Mueller. He also said he believes he has the “absolute right” to do what he wants with the Justice Department when asked whether he would order the reopening of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
Last week’s interview took place at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. According to the Times, no aides were present for the interview, and the president sat alone with a New York Times at a table.
The interviews the President gives the Times seems to be at odds with the constant insults he hurls at the paper on Twitter and other places. He has nicknamed it, “the failing New York Times.” The behavior seems to betray a deep-seated respect for the paper. It was said recently that Mr. Trump regards the New York Times as the paper of record. The unfettered access that he has granted it seems to confirm that that is the case.