HOLIDAY/MEDIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Say what you will about Donald Trump: He is no hypocrite. Following a year of endless Twitter rants about FAKE NEWS ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, he’s not about to stoop to calling a holiday truce in his war with the press. Nope, in a scoop undoubtedly heard with dismay around the Beltway, Fox News media reporter Howard Kurtz has revealed Trump’s bold decision to abolish the traditional Christmas party that presidents host at this time of year for members of the White House press corps and their bosses. It would be nice if thick-skinned members of the Washington press corps could just shrug this off with a good riddance and a retreat to the National Press Club for some holiday cheer where we are welcome. But in addition to being thick-skinned, reporters are also — the president’s fulminations to the contrary notwithstanding — truth tellers. And the truth is, this Grinch-like behavior hurts.”
–Kathy Kiely, “No room for a Christmas miracle: Donald Trump is canceling White House party for press,” USA Today, December 14, 2018 9:49 am