It is well known that Donald Trump lives on fast food—especially the Big Mac. No lengthy banquets, no elaborate formalities, except when absolutely necessary. Anyone following the man’s daily routine quickly notices that he scarcely finds time for more than one or two Big Macs between press conferences: at the door of his plane as it prepares for takeoff, on his way to the helicopter on the White House lawn, in his side office at the White House, in the narrow Oval Office, or wherever a gathering of reporters happens to be available.
Previous American presidents followed an unbreakable tradition. The time of the press conference never changed. The accredited journalists never changed. Reporters asked questions according to seniority. Under this arrangement, presidents for years would begin their conferences with a question from the Lebanese-American journalist Helen Thomas—or Helene Tannous from Tripoli.
The rhythm changed with Donald Trump. Speed swept through the White House. There is no longer a “dean” among the correspondents, nor elderly senior reporters. The ideal correspondent today must be young, bold, and capable of enduring the president’s temper. One of the requirements is being quick enough to climb or descend the steps of the presidential aircraft, whether in Beijing or Moscow. Rhythm. Everything is rhythm.
During the press conferences of previous presidents, the reporter’s voice could barely be heard while asking a question. Now, all reporters speak at once, pushing and competing with one another. And it seems that the man in power derives immense pleasure from this attention, often extending the question period.
May Helen Thomas rest in peace. She was also the “dean of White House correspondents” in age. There is no place for the elderly in Trump’s era. Go retire in your homes. What is required are reporters capable of keeping up with the president: at the airplane door, at the helicopter door, at the White House gate—and always in the open air.
Since the first assassination attempt, and after every subsequent attempt, the president has only increased his defiance of the fools and madmen who pursue him in search of pathological fame—yet fail. They do not understand that the world runs on rhythm.
Originally published in Asharq Al-Awsat
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