Reporters Following Trump Aren’t Happy They Were Left Behind for Mexico Visit
Donald Trump‘s traveling press corps was left behind before
The Trump campaign gave reporters no advance notice about the trip (we all only found out about it last night), and according to Politico, reporters were “seething” about basically being left behind with little time to figure out what to do.
And a lot of reporters––not just the ones who follow him around––aren’t happy about the move (especially coming from someone who attacks Hillary Clinton for dodging the press):
.@realDonaldTrump takes the Press Corps to Scotland for the Turnberry reopening, but not to his 1st meeting with a world leader. #WUWT??
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) August 31, 2016
A candidate who doesn't want journos around is a would-be prez who doesn't want transparency for you. Via @nytimes pic.twitter.com/OFgIzmB4ZG
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) August 31, 2016
2/2 A troubling departure from precedent for the Trump campaign to leave U.S. press behind https://t.co/pz46RhrEwj
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 31, 2016
Trump's traveling press corps got no heads-up about this trip, no efforts made to get them there https://t.co/xhBIPSYVSg
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) August 31, 2016
Trump is setting a distressing precedent today. He's traveling to Mexico. His traveling press has not been invited along. We're in Phoenix.
— Jill Colvin (@colvinj) August 31, 2016
Trump first intl trip, to Scotland, for his golf course opening: press taken. First intl trip to meet w/ foreign leader: left behind
— Noah Gray CNN (@NoahGrayCNN) August 31, 2016
This morning's logistics call between Trump press aides & beat reporters was heated– lots of frustration about lack of access to Mexico mtg
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 31, 2016
It's absolutely maddening that traveling press who cover Trump constantly are being left behind in Phoenix while he's in Mexico.
— David Martosko (@dmartosko) August 31, 2016
We had no opportunity to travel, the campaign press charter plane is staying put, and news of a Q&A came too late for a commercial flight.
— David Martosko (@dmartosko) August 31, 2016
This is truly bizarre — to have the GOP nominee in a foreign country this close to an election with ZERO media eyes on him.
— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) August 31, 2016
Don't forget that said nominee's campaign is attacking his opponent for hiding from the press. https://t.co/vd7wASIRpB
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) August 31, 2016
Now, there will be reporters covering Trump––though none of them will apparently get to ask questions––but not the ones who have kind of been assigned to do so and have followed his campaign around everywhere.
CNN explains the frustrations thusly:
News organizations have been scrambling to get reporters and crews on the ground through private travel or by relying on teams they have in Mexico City.
CBS has a truck and crew at the location for the event, but as of publication was lacking an American producer who could put together a pool for other networks. Several other news organizations are trying to get reporters in place for the post-meeting press availability.
[featured image via Gage Skidmore]
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