Maggie Haberman says Trump engineers a press pool that avoids hard questions

Maggie Haberman, one outlet journalist and author of “Regime Change,” told The Media Confidential podcast that the Trump White House has engineered a press environment populated by loyal, far-right journalists. She contrasted this with earlier eras when reporters collectively pursued hard questions, noting that today a tough inquiry is typically answered by a four-minute presidential monologue and then deflected with praise such as “Sir, how are you so handsome?” or claims of media unfairness.

Haberman said this design creates a massive obstacle for journalists who aim to hold power to account, diminishing the quality of coverage the public relies on. She also linked Trump’s preference for advisers who flatter him to erratic policy decisions, citing the example of Rubio staying close to the president to remain in the decision-making loop. The overall picture, according to Haberman, is a press pool that shields the president from scrutiny by design.