Trump will never love the press

I always thought it was a sign of insecurity when a politician started to attack the press. But in Donald Trump's case he attacks the press because he knows that very few newspapers in the country actually like him, and most of the editorials that appear around the country oppose his leadership, his decisions and his attitudes. Three hundred newspapers have clubbed together to attack Trump's apparent disinterest in the freedom of the press. He can't take criticism in newspapers and rants at anyone who dares to suggest he lies. But Trump doesn't attack the press out of a sense of weakness or insecurity. He attacks the press because he believes it is his God-given right to be respected and obeyed. He believes in free speech but only if it supports his way of thinking. This is truly the mark of an autocrat. But I think he also enjoys attacking the press. It gives him vigour and energy every day. For the press themselves, all reporters in Washington are facing a dilemma. If anyone writes a piece that Trump and the White House dislike, that reporter can be banned from briefings, barred from attending events at the White House and prevented from asking questions of the president. It is a deeply unhealthy situation which can only get worse as the Trump administration ploughs on.