Trump Re-Engages Mainstream Media

Politico: “The ex-president will participate in a town hall event with CNN, a network he called “fake” and whose reporters he routinely chastised while serving in office. The event, which will take place at New Hampshire’s Saint Anselm College next week, will mark a major moment in the intersection of politics and the media in the still nascent 2024 GOP primary. It also is the latest illustration of an aggressive media strategy that Trump’s team is adopting.”

“The former president and his staff have re-engaged the mainstream press corps after largely shunning them. They have been in talks with sit-downs with several other notable outlets, including NBC. He has also invited an array of reporters from mainstream outlets to fly with him on his plane to and from campaign events.”

“Those in the former president’s orbit believe that by giving interviews and access to mainstream outlets, they can broaden Trump’s message — and create a contrast with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has widely been seen as more closed off toward mainstream outlets while granting interviews to conservative ones.”

Playbook: “Almost unbelievably, this will be Trump’s first time appearing on CNN since he first ran for president in the 2016 campaign.”