Before departing for France for an Armistice Day commemoration event, Pres. Trump launched a war on the working press.
After revoking the press credentials of CNN's Jim Acosta on Thursday he was asked if he will be cutting others. He said he had not made a decision but threatened to potentially ban more reporters. He suggested WH veteran April Ryan might be next to go. Unprompted, he degraded to AURN reporter calling her a "loser."
On Acosta Trump said he is a "very unprofessional guy who would have done the same thing to Reagan. " Ryan said in a phoner to CNN where she works as a contributor, in her 21 years of covering the White House she has never had a problem with other presidents and with Trump "something's awry."
This week Trump's problem with women and people of color was punctuated at several press encounters. In addition to April Ryan, Trump hurled insults at Abby Phillip of CNN and Yamiche Alcindor of PBS news Hour Trump's supporters say he is an equal opportunity insulter as if that excuses his behavior.
Trump said, "You have to treat the White House with respect" and proceeded to disrespected journalists on White House grounds when she asked a highly relevant question about Jeff Sessions successor that looms after his firing.
QUESTION (from @abbydphillip): Do you want acting AG Matt Whitaker to rein in Mueller?
TRUMP: “What a stupid question that is. What a stupid question. But I watch you a lot, you ask a lot of stupid questions."
This type of tense exchange has become normal between the POTUS and journalists he does not like.