Krauthammer: ‘Symbolism’ Of Trump’s Treatment of Press Is ‘Alarming’ – ‘The Press Can’t Allow Itself to be Bullied’

On Friday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Special Report,” columnist Charles Krauthammer argued that “What happened today was symbolic and minor, as a real thing. But nonetheless, the symbolism is alarming.” And “I’m glad to see that Fox joined with all of the others…remembering that when Obama excluded Fox from access to an official way back when, everyone rallied around us and said, if you don’t include them, we’re not going to be there.”

Krauthammer said, “I think people are rightly somewhat concerned. … What happened today was symbolic and minor, as a real thing. But nonetheless, the symbolism is alarming. The president uses a phrase from Lenin, enemies of the people. If you were an enemy of the people in Lenin’s day, you were dead. These are serious historical terms that shouldn’t ever be used, and you’re sending a message that you’re hostile to certain media outlets. And as you say, on the same day, you explicitly, unsubtly exclude them from a gaggle. Like in the — of course, in the scheme of things, that doesn’t matter, but I’m glad to see that Fox joined with all of the others, we being a favored outlet for Trump, remembering that when Obama excluded Fox from access to an official way back when, everyone rallied around us and said, if you don’t include them, we’re not going to be there. It’s the only way to do it. You can’t — the press can’t allow itself to be bullied, and I’m glad it’s not.”

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett

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