President Donald Trump’s latest appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” raises a familiar but important question: Why does he keep giving airtime to networks that are openly hostile to him? Despite being in his second term and not facing another election, the stakes remain really high. With the 2026 midterms looming, and a real opportunity to expand GOP majorities in Congress, one has to wonder if lending legitimacy to biased legacy media helps or hurts that mission. If the goal is to push his agenda through with fewer obstacles, maybe it’s time to stop playing nice with outlets that have no intention of being fair.
In the interview, host Kristen Welker challenged Trump on alleged rising prices, citing increases in items like tires and strollers. Trump immediately pushed back, stating, “This is such a dishonest interview already.” He emphasized that energy costs, a significant component of household expenses, have already decreased under his administration. “Prices are down on groceries. Prices are down for oil. Prices are down for all energy,” he asserted. “Gasoline is thousands of times more important than a stroller.”
Welker pressed on, referencing tariffs and their impact on consumer goods—naturally under the assumption that their impact is bad. Trump dismissed these concerns as minor compared to the broader economic picture. “That’s peanuts compared to energy. Energy is 60% of the cost,” he explained. This exchange is emblematic of the adversarial nature of Trump’s interactions with legacy media. Despite the confrontational tone, Trump continues to participate in these interviews. Why does he persist in engaging with outlets that often appear more interested in undermining him than in providing balanced coverage?
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Of course the most obvious explanation is that Trump views these interactions as opportunities to confront the media directly and to communicate his message unfiltered to the American people. By challenging the premises of the questions posed to him, he positions himself as a counterpoint to what he perceives as media bias. This strategy allows him to reinforce his narrative and appeal to his base, who often share his skepticism of mainstream media.
Moreover, Trump’s willingness to engage with hostile media may be a calculated risk to prove his unmatched transparency and resilience. By facing tough questions head-on, he showcases his readiness to defend his policies and decisions, reinforcing his image as a leader unafraid of scrutiny. No one can say the same thing about Joe Biden… or Barack Obama for that matter.
However, this approach is not without its drawbacks. Engaging with adversarial media can lead to misrepresentation and selective editing, potentially distorting his message—think Kamala’s “60 Minutes” interview, but for the opposite effect. It also raises concerns about legitimizing outlets that have consistently shown bias against him.
As Trump continues his second term, the effectiveness of this media strategy will need to be constantly reassessed. While it allows him to confront critics directly, it also exposes him to potential pitfalls. The balance between reaching a broader audience and avoiding media traps is delicate, and how Trump navigates this will be crucial in shaping public perception during his term.
