58 years of attacks on the media by powerful leaders trying to deflect criticism, from Nixon to Trump

American faith in news is at an all-time low, aided by a president hostile to the press. But presidents have long attacked journalists as biased. What does objectivity really mean?

By: Heather Hendershot, Northwestern University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 31, 2026

Words: 1,584

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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By Heather Hendershot, Northwestern University

In his White House Correspondents’ Association dinner speech on July 24, 2026, President Donald Trump made his usual diatribes against the news media. He derided the “failing” New York Times and reiterated his complaint that CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins doesn’t smile enough. He dismissed the award she received at the dinner as “fake” and celebrated the recent firing of top CBS News employees.

Such ongoing extreme hostility from …

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