There is a fair amount of criticism going around aimed at the press, and in particular the White House Press Corps. Simultaneously many here and elsewhere are pleading to stop live coverage of the the daily clown show deemed a press briefing. No doubt much of the criticism is warranted, causing an increased national frustration. Yet every once-in-a-while there’s a article, story or question that restores hope. Like the Sunday NYT article that seemed to send our dear leader off a cliff. Or when CBS News Paul Reid asked, “What did you do with the time you bought—the month of February?” Such joy.
Since these Coronavirus pressers began trump has upped his lying and denials to a shocking and dangerous level. Meanwhile Americans sit powerless in their homes as the press asks easily dodged questions. I don’t need a stimulus check—just give me a dollar for every time a WH reporter starts with “I have a two-part question.” And those questions that attempt to tie him to something he previously said, or something someone else said? At times the learning curve seems endless.
Just ask the simple, single-fact questions. Start with, “Mr. President, why is your name on the checks?” Of course, the follow-up to his dissembling should be “Mr. President, why is your name on the checks?” And when he starts talking about his greatness, or China, or the WHO, or whatever, well, Mr. President, why is your name on the checks?
I understand the serious nature of where we are, and concede that the delay caused by the re-coding of these computer-generated checks is more important. But Treasury officials are already on the record denying the delay, and any reporter that expects Treasury to admit this, or trump, and asks that question, should go to the end of the line.
Keep it simple folks, and remember you are questioning the most practiced liar we have ever seen in the White House. There is real value to voters when trump throws tantrums, and arguably those tantrums are more valuable than answers to most questions. Otherwise it is just another campaign rally.