Trump Launches Attack on Media as His Approval Ratings Hit Historic Low

At the Pennsylvania rally held April 29, US President Donald Trump launched a ferocious attack on US media, dismissing criticism as ‘fake news’. 

In front of a cheering crowd, Trump stated that he was keeping his promises, saying the media should be given “a big, fat, failing grade” over their coverage of his accomplishments during his first 100 days in office.

Donald J. Trump refused to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, becoming the first US President in 36 years to skip the event since Ronald Reagan failed to appear due to injury. 

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner is organized every year with the aim to balance the differences and depolarize the day-to-day dynamics between reporters and the White House. This year’s ‘nerd dinner’ was attended mostly by political actors, rather than Hollywood celebrities. 

Moreover, Trump told his supporters he was “thrilled to be more than 100 miles from Washington”, adding that “a large group of Hollywood actors and Washington media are consoling themselves” at the correspondents’ dinner “that will be very boring”.

In his address at the Washington dinner, Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason defended his profession, saying it was “our job to report on facts, and to hold leaders accountable”.

“We are not ‘fake news’. We are not failing news organizations, and we are not the enemy of the American people,” Mason further added.

Trump’s approval ratings hover at around the 40% mark – believed to be lower than any other president at the 100-day marker.

Regarding his election pledges, Mr Trump said the first 100 days had been “very exciting and very productive”.

A large rally was held earlier against Trump’s climate change policy. He defended his stance by promising that “a big decision” would be taken within the next two weeks. Despite all claims, plans and promises, the construction of the Mexico wall has been stalled along with several other proposals. 

“We’ll build the wall, folks, don’t even worry about it,” the president said.

Apropos the promise to label China a currency manipulator, he said now was not “the best time.”