US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, 10 January, claimed the news media will ultimately support him, as otherwise their ratings and businesses would be impacted.
Trump said this a day after he opened to the press almost his entire meeting with the Congressional leadership on immigration. For this they got great ratings and reviews.
Trump told his Cabinet colleagues that he received letter of congratulations from news anchors.
“Then, after that, they were called by their bosses for saying, ‘Oh, wait a minute’. And, unfortunately, a lot of those anchors sent us letters saying that was one of the greatest meetings they’ve ever witnessed. And they were great. For about two hours, they were phenomenal. And then they went a little bit south on us, but not that bad. It was fine”, Trump told his Cabinet colleagues.
Amid laughter from his Cabinet members, Trump said:
They probably wish they didn’t send us those letters of congratulations. But it was good. I’m sure their ratings were fantastic; they always are – which is why I think the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because they’re going to say, if Trump doesn’t win in three years, they’re all out of business.
"You guys will be out of business. But the boom holders are still going to be there, so that's good. Those are the people I like," Trump said referring to the media present in the room.
Trump has a love-hate relationship with the media ever since he started his presidential election campaign.
He often attacks the mainstream media and has branded some of them as “fake news” including CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post.
Next week, he is planning a Fake News Award for the media outlet he dislikes the most.
(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at lettertoindia@thequint.com. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)