Hellobee Boards

I think he's well aware that talking about it only draws more attention and it's serving two purposes. Discrediting the media to his supporters,like you said, and drawing attention to something so stupid when he can do other things and brush the under the rug while people focus on his latest tantrum. And I'm horrified by both.

After he attacked Meryl Streep I realized he wouldn't be able to get past a single thing. Ever. God help us.

I really believe he does stuff like this to distract us/the news media from talking about other things, i.e., the fact that hundreds of thousands of people marched against him yesterday. I watched the news last night and they spent half the broadcast talking about this news conference/his foolishness at the CIA. He's a master media manipulator.

Also, real men don't worry about the size of their inauguration crowds.

As President, he is going to face a lot of criticism, some fair and some unfair. Look at the things they threw at Obama - he's a secret terrorist etc, even demanding he make public his birth certificate to prove he was an American citizen. Trump is going to need to learn to rise above this stuff so he can focus on the important things (although, yeah, maybe we would rather him leave that stuff!), let his actions speak for the quality of his presidency, not the supposed size of a crowd. Picking fights with anyone who says anything negative about him is childish and ridiculous - I genuinely think he is unhinged.

He's either truly and deeply ill, or a master manipulator of the media. I suspect it's the later (plus a healthy dose of narcissism). Unfortunately, managing the media/narrative has been something dems have struggled with and I'm worried it might just get worse with him around.

I really don't know what to make of it. Is he just manipulating or is he totally bonkers? Both probably.

You would think that he might offend some people by his little speech at the CIA yesterday in front of their wall of stars representing fallen officers.

Here's an article about a meme spreading on twitter about spicer's statement that is at least good for a laugh. https://www.wired.com/2017/01/sean-spicer-twitter-meme/

@mrbee: ha! Though cynical me is worried this is just another diversion tactic to shift the attention away from the fact that he is dismantling healthcare as we speak for millions.

He is masterful at doing that, and played the media the whole election.

He's such a classic gaslighter, it's ridiculous. And the media are his constant scapegoat. I'm still waiting for all of those supposed strict constitutionalists when it comes to other amendments to come out and complain about the fact that he constantly makes a mockery of the whole "freedom of the press" thing...but I think I'll be waiting for awhile.

ETA: Also, he's not alone in this. I know someone who works for a popular conservative media outlet, and he posted on Facebook that of course there were more people at Obama's inauguration because it was raining at Trump's. I was glad to see multiple people like, "Dude, it rained for about five seconds and it was also at least 20 degrees warmer at Trump's, don't even start with that" haha.

@yoursilverlining: "alternative facts". Just.... wow.

@yoursilverlining: I saw that clip today and was absolutely appalled, my blood was boiling. The disinformation campaign is in full swing. I am afraid for freedom of the press and free speech.

For anyone who didn't see it:
http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/conway-press-secretary-gave-alternative-facts-860142147643

Even Fox News is calling out Spicer on being wrong. I am so hoping Trump gets on their bad side.

@Mama Bird: Did you see the Jimmy Kimmel segment where they asked people on the streets if they supported Obamacare or ACA? I'm sure it may not be completely real, but some people I know think they're different. Go America!

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I agree with the sentiment that a lot is being done simply to antagonize him, he's an easy target and brings it on himself BUT I do think it needs to be continually pointed out that he lies about things that are very obviously untrue.

We can all have a civil conversation but let's face facts, HelloBee skews heavily towards priveleged, educated women and I don't think anyone here is falling for his more obvious lies but there are a lot of people who believe what he says and then even go so far as to embellish the "alternative facts." We will set ourselves up for some very scary things if the news stops reporting that the president is lying to our faces despite clear proof.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yes! I'm 100% in agreement with that!