Donald Trump Tries to Land on the Front Pages of His Favorite Newspapers Every Day: Report

Donald Trump Tries to Get on the Front Pages of His Favorite Newspapers Every Day: Report
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up a Time magazine to show off the title of the cover story, "How Trump Won" during a campaign event at the University of Northern Iowa on January 12,... Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Before Donald Trump had the title of President of the United States, there was rarely a reason for him to appear on the front cover of any newspaper outside of New York City. And while he did appear on magazine covers from time to time, such as Newsweek and TIME, before coming president, it was treated as a special occasion by Trump, who would frame the publication to display on walls in his luxurious apartments or country clubs around the world.

But now, according to a report in the New York Times, if Trump does not make it on to the front page of his favorite newspapers, he reportedly sets out to do or say something newsworthy–or outlandish–that will land himself on the next day's front page, according to two former aides.

By publicly boasting to supporters and allies about how he consistently appears on the front page of "The Failing New York Times" as president, Trump shows that while he may tout the outlet as "fake news" and has threatened them with legal action, the president has an unusual drive to say and do what it takes to see his image appear on paper the next day.

It was discovered a few months into Trump's presidency that he went so far as to have fake TIME magazine covers created and printed in the past to display in at least five of his exclusive golf clubs around the world from Florida to Virginia to Scotland.

A Time Magazine with Trump on the cover hangs in his golf clubs. It’s fake. https://t.co/GbabQP5hXQ pic.twitter.com/EFTEcyasRE

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 27, 2017

Trump also has Newsweek magazines framed and hung at various properties, including one that was spotted on his desk when he was running for president. However, those covers were all real.

With the midterms fast approaching and headlines about the Russia investigation and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh having subsided, the president has once again ratcheted up his public appearances through press gaggles, frequent on-stage political rallies, a USA Today op-ed, and both impromptu and scheduled interviews. But with more media exposure come more falsehoods from Trump, which also lead him to land on front pages or make headlines.

In addition to USA Today concluding Trump's op-ed on health care and Medicare for All was a "series of false and misleading statements," the Washington Post's fact check of the column found that "almost every sentence contained a misleading statement or a falsehood."

Speaking at recent rallies and in interviews, the president has lied often. Democrats want to turn the U.S. economy into that of Venezuela's socialist model, he has said, and "open borders". He also said that African-American median income has reached an "all-time high" with him as president.

On top of misleading or false statements, American rapper and songwriter Kanye West's bizarre Thursday appearance in the Oval Office also garnered a good deal of media attention. West's long-winded praise of the president for making him "feel like Superman" and his rebuttal to critics for supporting Trump appeared to leave him somewhat speechless, in addition to reportedly leaving White House aides embarrassed.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Ramsey Touchberry is a Washington Correspondent for Newsweek based in the nation's capital, where he regularly covers Congress. 

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