In a remarkable airborne confrontation, former President Donald Trump delivered a stinging rebuke to National Public Radio reporter during a flight aboard Air Force One, making his feelings about the broadcaster abundantly clear.
The extraordinary exchange occurred when NPR's White House correspondent attempted to question the President about his administration's repeated attempts to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting.
'I'm not a big fan of NPR,' Trump declared bluntly, setting the tone for what would become a tense dialogue between the commander-in-chief and the journalist.
The Funding Battle Heats Up
The confrontation centred on Trump's persistent efforts to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides financial support to NPR and PBS. The President's budget proposals consistently targeted these organisations, though Congress ultimately rejected these cuts.
During the exchange, Trump reiterated his administration's position that taxpayers should not bear the cost of funding public broadcasting, suggesting the organisations could find alternative revenue sources.
A Pattern of Media Antagonism
This incident represents another chapter in Trump's complex relationship with the media, particularly organisations he perceived as hostile to his administration. His presidency was marked by frequent clashes with news outlets he labelled as 'fake news'.
The Air Force One confrontation underscores the unique access challenges journalists faced during the Trump administration, where even proximity to power didn't guarantee straightforward answers to pressing questions.
This revelation offers new insight into the behind-the-scenes dynamics between the former president and media organisations he frequently criticised from the podium and through his social media channels.
