After Annapolis newsroom shooting, focus turns to Trump's media bashing
As news of a fatal mass shooting at a community newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland surfaced, the online conversation quickly turned to President Trump's reputation for inciting violence against the press.
At least five people were killed in the horrific shooting at the Capital Gazette newsroom on Thursday. While the shooter's motive hasn't been confirmed by police, he has sent social media threats to the newsroom before — the latest were sent yesterday, according to authorities. And top of mind for many was Trump's tendency to villainize reporters.
Crickets from Republicans about Trump's threats at the media, including referring to them as the "enemy of the people" two times in the last three weeks, after the shooting of 5 at the Capital Gazette.
— Amy Siskind (@Amy_Siskind) June 29, 2018
With the way that trump demonizes the media is there really any surprise that there was a newsroom shooting today?
— Mindy Fischer Writer (@NastyMindy) June 28, 2018
Mass shooting of the media — Trump is responsible for both the means and the targets here. #Annapolis https://t.co/IyeZOIivEK
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) June 28, 2018
The suspect, who has been reportedly identified as 38-year-old Jarrod Ramos by unnamed law enforcement, filed a defamation lawsuit against a Capital Gazette reporter in 2012 for reporting that he harassed a woman he went to high school with, reconnecting with her at first through Facebook. The case was thrown out. In 2015, a Twitter account under Ramos' name tagged the paper and said calling Trump unqualified "could end badly."
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After the Annapolis shooting, Trump offered his boilerplate response to mass shootings: thoughts and prayers.
Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
Today, Trump sends the newsroom prayers, but in the past, he has encouraged violence against the media and mistrust for his own political gain. Here is just a sampling of the (documented) times he's done so.
He's called news organizations "the enemy" multiple times.
Why was the FBI giving so much information to the Fake News Media. They are not supposed to be doing that, and knowing the enemy of the people Fake News, they put their own spin on it - truth doesn’t matter to them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2018
....it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2017
Sen. McCain should not be talking about the success or failure of a mission to the media. Only emboldens the enemy! He's been losing so....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2017
The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2017
So funny to watch the Fake News, especially NBC and CNN. They are fighting hard to downplay the deal with North Korea. 500 days ago they would have “begged” for this deal-looked like war would break out. Our Country’s biggest enemy is the Fake News so easily promulgated by fools!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2018
Why was the FBI giving so much information to the Fake News Media. They are not supposed to be doing that, and knowing the enemy of the people Fake News, they put their own spin on it - truth doesn’t matter to them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2018
"A few days ago, I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are." –@POTUS #CPAC2017 https://t.co/NniBZ8OcUn pic.twitter.com/3vvPnrJXSB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 24, 2017
He pretended to beat down CNN at a wrestling match.
He's amped up crowds into harassing journalists covering his event.
During a rally in Phoenix in August 2017, Trump led the crowd into chanting "CNN sucks." According to the New York Times, audience members hurled insults at reporters covering the event, "demanding that they stop tormenting the president with questions about his ties to Russia." Journalists outside dodged rocks and tear gas while covering a protest after the event.
He has a history of getting cozy with people who were violent toward reporters.
Before the 2016 election, Trump said it was a "great honor" to receive praise from Russian president Vladimir Putin. Although the Kremlin denies political killings, Human Rights Watch says Russia is "far from a safe place" for independent journalists. The Washington Post highlighted 10 of Putin's critics who died in violent and suspicious ways.
He also defended his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who was charged with simple battery for assaulting Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields when he yanked her away from Trump.
Wow, Corey Lewandowski, my campaign manager and a very decent man, was just charged with assaulting a reporter. Look at tapes-nothing there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
In May 2017, Trump lauded Republican Greg Gianforte, calling his success in Montana's House special election a "great win." Gianforte was recorded body slamming Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs just days earlier. A Fox News team witnessed Gianforte punching Jacobs, breaking his glasses, and yelling "I'm sick and tired of this!"
Later that year, the Philippines' dictator Rodrigo Duterte called journalists "spies" when asked about human rights issues, and Trump laughed. Duterte has previously threatened reporters, warning them that they "are not exempted from assassination."
On the bright side, Trump said he would "never kill" reporters.
Nearly a year before the 2016 election, Trump told a pre-Christmas rally how much he hates news organizations.
"I would never kill them, but I do hate them," he joked to the audience. "And some of them are such lying, disgusting people. It's true."