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While terming the American media as a “corrupt institution” and “dishonest opponents” of the President, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has urged Donald Trump cancel daily press briefings by the White House.
“I am personally offended by the American news media. I think it is destructive and disgusting. It is a danger to the country right now,” Gingrich, a staunch Trump supporter told Politico.
"Just say to the American people, you get to choose," he said.
Closing the press briefing room would send a message to the country “that the media is a corrupt institution and he is tired of being harassed by people whose only interest is making him look bad.”
He also said that reporters shouldn't print information they couldn't attach a name to, and described Trump's communication team as one of the best.
"The damage the news media is doing to the United States is despicable," he added.
Trump has previously accused news media of being "the enemy of the American people," which journalists have rejected.
The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) on Friday pushed back on Trump's threat to cancel future White House briefings. “White House briefings and press conferences provide substantive and symbolic opportunities for journalists to pose questions to officials at the highest levels of the US government,” the association said.
"The White House Correspondents' Association would object to any move that would threaten constitutionally protected principles."
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