Washington, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has said he has moved away from traditional news organisations and relies more on social media for communication, claiming that many media outlets would struggle to attract audiences after he leaves office.
Speaking at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Trump criticised mainstream media coverage of his presidency while highlighting his online presence and direct engagement with the public through digital platforms.
“I gave up on traditional press,” Trump said, adding that he was “number one on TikTok” and that his social media strategy had been more effective than conventional media coverage.
Trump told journalists and media executives attending the event that news organisations benefited from the attention generated by his presidency.
“When I’m gone, you’re all going to be broke,” he said, arguing that there would be less public interest in political coverage without him.
The President also spoke about his interactions with journalists, saying he had shared his personal phone number with reporters after noticing fewer calls following his return to the White House. He later described the move as a mistake, claiming journalists now contact him frequently.
Trump said he often responds to media queries because direct communication could lead to more accurate reporting.
“I always find that when you don’t speak to the press, you always get a bad story,” he said, adding that speaking with journalists provided a chance for fairer coverage.
Despite his criticism of media organisations, Trump said he supported press freedom and described himself as one of the most open and transparent presidents in history. He also criticised former President Joe Biden, claiming Biden had rarely engaged with reporters.
During the speech, Trump acknowledged his strained relationship with some journalists while saying he respected the profession.
“Sometimes I don’t feel you treat me fair,” he said, while adding that journalists sometimes treated him fairly and that he had respect for their work.
Earlier, Trump joked about receiving largely negative media coverage and criticised several journalists and television personalities. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang, in her remarks before introducing Trump, defended press freedom and warned against efforts to weaken constitutional protections for the media.
FOLLOW NOW
