Pay attention to language. It matters.
Trump remains outraged about how information is leaked to the press and the public, but in his mind, the ‘leaks’ are the problem, giving us the classic quote: “The leaks are real, the news is fake”. Trump, Friday at CPAC: “We are fighting the fake news. Fake.”
Too many people have already mentioned that if a leak isn’t true, it’s not a leak, it’s disinformation. And the leaks that outrage Trump have all been true so far.
The Donald, of course, is more about loyalty and desires, and less on distinctions like ‘true’ or ‘false’.
But like a faithful follower, news media have been allowing him to redefine the argument. This evening’s NBC news story about leaks included: “But leaks already leading to the resignation of NSA chief Michael Flynn.”
No. Michael Flynn trying to undercut Obama negotiations with the Russians and then lying about it to the FBI and Mike Pence got Flynn fired. (Or being caught for that; Trump wasn’t really clear.) Either case, though, the leaks weren’t the cause. The behavior was what most people are against.
Everything the government does is, by definition, the public’s business. Except for specific exclusions, the public has the full right to know everything our representatives do in our names, with our money and our resources.
Trump is using the phrase because news organizations are always hungry, and that makes them vulnerable to pre-chewed headlines.
find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW
— Donald J. Trump, @realDonaldTrump, Feb. 24
“…Devastating effects…”? No shit.
