Jeez, I really didn’t want to regress back to news on Trump, but here we are. If we all didn’t know already, Trump has begun to act out in public already, this time going to war against CNN. But, CNN’s not all that innocent either.

Trump vs. Jim Acosta

At Trump’s news conference, there were a multitude of questions that needed to be answered in terms of interference in the election and the involvement of Russia. However, rather than focusing on Russia, Trump’s focus seemed to be aimed more at CNN’s correspondent Jim Acosta. However, the reply was rather unbecoming of a reporter/journalist as well, with the rude interruptions from Jim Acosta over other reporters amidst a repeated demand to ask a question as well as a defense of the news organization that Acosta was representing, CNN.

Trump’s antagonism towards CNN is not news to us though. Throughout his entire campaign he has attempted to besmirch the name of CNN, claiming that they have been conspiring against him and publishing news that is unfavorable to him, as well as publishing falsified allegations against him to “make him look bad.” Trump’s most recent claims about CNN’s “fake news” reporting comes from a two-page dossier that Trump was allegedly briefed about regarding his close circle’s involvement with Russia along with claims of sexual affairs by Trump.

What does this mean?

For the media, this sets a problematic precedent in terms of interaction with politicians, particularly in terms of what CNN reports. Obviously Trump’s antics are well-known, but the fact still remains; Acosta’s behavior was without a doubt not professional and beholden of a journalist. The abrasive attitude and unprofessional behavior is something that the nation has come to expect from Trump (that’s yet another bucket of worms that shall be opened). But, to return with the same level of behavior is unexpected of a composed adult journalist attempting to have their questions answered by one of the most influential individuals on the planet, despite how immature they might be. Stooping to the level of immaturity is not only unexpected but also a mark that is hard to wipe away.

For Trump, this once again reinforces an aura of unprofessionalism, which is rather dangerous in terms of being perhaps the most influential individual in the world. The inability to show tact and composure in the face of subtle attacks from the media is something that is expected of those who are in the forefront of the world, where their actions are transparent to the entire world and set a standard for politics. Such behavior cannot be tolerated, but that’s merely the tip of the iceberg with Trump.

One instance of a repeated behavior, and that being a combative nature with the media, can be potentially problematic but excusable. However, Trump isn’t representative of a singular problem. Along with being combative, when answering questions that he does not understand how to comprehend, his continued evasive maneuvers are not only repetitive, but transparent. His continued pleas through stating that the public “does not care” for the answers to certain inquiries like tax returns, certain aspects of foreign relations, classified documents not being released to be public, fabricated details of deals that gradually became clearer, and a laundry list of other issues. This not only makes public relations more dangerous, but also displays the lack of understanding of politics of the American public, shown through eating up the façade that Trump has consistently dished out day after day.

This does not bode well for the future of America, neither for the President nor for the media of America. No one can truly know which side is the truthful side, and what to actually believe.