Republicans and Democrats have spent months accusing each other of using “fake news” to win voters and public opinion, but now, the media has a new strategy: labeling President Trump as a “fake” national leader.
It’s not clear what the press means, other than trying to jab back at Trump for repeatedly calling CNN “fake news.” But the press seems to be increasingly of the view that Trump’s presidency is “fake.”
Here are the most recent examples in which the press called Trump or his actions “fake”:
1. “Trump is writing fake executive orders because he doesn’t know how to be president.” — New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait, on Trump’s raft of signed executive orders, April 24
2. “He lied to us, repeatedly and shamelessly. His supporters may not care — yet — but history is unforgiving. Yelling ‘fake news’ cannot mask a fake presidency.” — Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson, referring to Trump’s so-far delayed promise to build a wall on the Mexican border, April 24
3. “Donald Trump’s mounting reversals, failures and betrayals make it increasingly clear that he is a fake and a fraud.” — New York Times’ Charles Blow, who has called for a “pause” in Trump’s presidency, April 20
4. “Two months into his presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trump’s approval rating at 39 percent. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesn’t show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude he’s a fake president.” — Wall Street Journal editorial board, regarding Trump’s steadfast claim that he was wiretapped by former President Obama, March 21
5. “This presidency is fake and failed.” — MSNBC “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski, also on Trump’s wiretap claim, March 6
6. “Only a FAKE PRESIDENT would declare the First Amendment to be the enemy of the American people.” — MSNBC “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough, Feb. 17, reacting to Trump’s declaration that much of the national media are the “enemy of the American people.”
