17 Comments
User's avatar
Sanford Sklansky's avatar

He probably would have walked out after some of those questions. But it would have been amusing. Or he would have been like Ralph Kramden. If you have watched the Honeymooners you would have gotten the reference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGprRpuXFj0&t=22s Jeff Tiedrich is a funny read and correct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGprRpuXFj0&t=22s It's not in this article but once in a while he says He would give a Pulitzer to anyone who would ask what the eff is the matter with you.

Bob Keener's avatar

Yes it was not surprising. Yes we’ve seen this performance before. Yes every journalist with a backbone has had plenty of time to prepare. And yet, here we are with Dan having to write the same take again.

My proposed strategy: Negotiate in bad faith. Agree to whatever Trump’s PR people want as far as what’s off the table, etc. Then put them into the interview and interrupt him every time he goes off point.

I imagine that most times he’ll stop the interview, storm off and never submit to another interview with the outlet/platform again. But if every outlet/platform that’s not already supporting Trump does it, that might start to put some trust back where it belongs.

Molly's avatar

I think Nora O’Donnell did a good job of assessing Trump’s intellectual and mental state. We know that he is a malignant narcissist, so, if she had asked any of the questions you proposed, he would respond by creating chaos instead of answering. She let him talk his head off and expose himself for what he is, a money-grubbing fraud.

Marycat2021's avatar

LOL you were expecting bold questions from CBS?

Rick Knight's avatar

Bravo, Dan. I would add that I never, EVER want to again hear the question “How do you respond?”

Because what that really means is “OK, I’m finished making sounds. Now it’s your turn to make sounds about whatever you want for as long as you want.”

Nancy Rea's avatar

He interrupts and answers in verbal diahrrea !(flight of ideas)

Why bother doing interviews with him !

Your interview suggestions are right on!

Wish it could happen that way.

NubbyShober's avatar

His staff negotiate the terms of any interviews that are *not* with loyal RW media outlets like Newsmax, OANN, and FOX News, that will never in a million years do anything but lob softballs.

This is a man who on national television, during a Presidential debate, argued that Haitian immigrants were eating people's pets in Ohio; before accusing Democrats of murdering (aborting) babies after birth. A pathological liar, who revives the old joke, "How do you know when Donald Trump is lying? Whenever his lips are moving."

No heaven for you, Donald.

TJ's avatar

So tired that the press does not fact-check, him. It’s ludicrous our democracy is harmed through the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. Over and over when he’s outside of that Fox misinformation bubble of sewage it’s up to the press, journalists not to capitulate, and just move on to another question without pushing back with facts.

The total failure leaves a democratic society without a crucial mechanism for ensuring an informed citizenry, which is fundamental to active and effective self-governance

which leads to several significant consequences. So angry it’s as if they don’t care enough other than their jobs at whatever network. Journalism has fallen into the sewage and Edward R Murrow, Walter Cronkite are rolling in their graves.

Richard Thomas's avatar

The only way Trump and his Nazi sycophants will leave is on handcuffs or body bags. That's after Trump turns the WH into his palace using SNAP money.

BKL's avatar

Agree 100%. I feel even more betrayed by the media than by his army of frightened toadies.

mark's avatar

Since trump said he did not know Changpeng Zhao, maybe Norah O’Donnell should have ask him if his staff is using the auto pen without his knowledge.

Janette McClelland's avatar

Appropriately,this aired opposite Sunday Night Football in most of the country. Most likely, people didn't see this Trump infomercial.

Steve Brant's avatar

Thank you for (again) pointing out how journalists SHOULD interview Trump. I first experienced CBS News when Walter Cronkite reported on the space program during my childhood. Meeting him later in life at an Arthur C Clarke Foundation event was a huge thrill. I am saddened and disgusted at what has happened to CBS News. Cronkite (and Bill Paley and Edward R Murrow) must be rolling in their graves! 😔😢💔

RL's avatar

Please join us in boycotting any/all CBS advertisers. A good starting list is at https://stopmediabiasnow.com/cbs-advertisers/

It's a long list, and it may not be practical to boycott all of them, but we're experiencing death by a thousand cuts and should share that pain with the companies that choose to support this nonsense.

Discreet Music's avatar

“Oh, come on, you PARDONED him!”

How hard would that be?

Peter's avatar

Every one of those questions should be asked. None will be answered with anything more than "That's a nasty question...you are a nasty person...fake news". But if enough people ask those questions enough times it may cause him to have a complete and total breakdown that cannot be sanewashed, rationalized or covered up...

Discreet Music's avatar

And broadcast around the clock