In the aftermath of Kamala Harris’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, Donald Trump has fiercely denied claims that he rambled during a phone conversation with Fox News. He maintains that he was invited for a brief interview by the network following Harris’s address.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to clarify the situation. “Bret Baier of FoxNews called me, I didn’t call him, just prior to the Kamala Convention speech, and asked me if I would like to critique her after she is finished. I agreed to do so!” he posted.
According to reports, Trump dialed into Fox News shortly after Harris delivered her nomination acceptance speech. During the call, Trump reportedly pressed buttons on his phone’s keypad while discussing Harris’s speech, leading to some speculation about his focus. The call was cut short after 10 minutes due to time constraints on the network.
Trump’s call drew criticism from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, who suggested that his comments were rambling. Trump, however, fired back, defending his critique of Harris’s speech. “I thought it was nonspecific and weak, with no fracking, crime, inflation or anything else of interest even mentioned. Delivery was a C+, with far too many and speedy ‘thank you’s’ at the beginning,” he wrote on Truth Social.
He further emphasized that he was not the one initiating calls to media outlets. “Likewise, I didn’t call other media outlets that asked me to go on, they called me. The Fake News, like often ‘gilted’ Maureen Dowd of the failing New York Times, wrote incorrectly that I was making the calls. WRONG!!! I don’t have to make calls to go on TV, or anything else — They call me! It’s called Ratings, I guess, and I’m the ‘Ratings Machine!’” Trump added.
This exchange highlights the ongoing tension between Trump and the media, a relationship marked by accusations of misinformation and bias. Trump’s forceful response also underscores his continued influence and media appeal, even after leaving office. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the dynamics between public figures and media outlets remain a crucial aspect of public discourse.
