In a prominent meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Donald Trump once again exhibited an unwavering stance against impolite journalists.
Since assuming office in January 2025, the president has shown no leniency towards press members who behave inappropriately, even prohibiting certain networks and publications from participating in press events.
Journalists from left-leaning outlets such as CNN and MSNBC have frequently posed challenges for the president, often allowing their political biases to overshadow their interactions with him. This has perpetuated a climate of heightened tension between the administration and the media.
During the meeting in the Oval Office, NBC News reporter Peter Alexander was removed for his rudeness, with the president labeling him a ‘disgrace.’ The reporter inquired about Trump’s earlier comments regarding alleged violence against white farmers in South Africa.
The president reiterated his concerns and criticized the journalist for biased reporting. This incident underscores the ongoing conflict between Trump and mainstream media organizations, particularly NBC and its affiliates, which have consistently depicted the president in a negative light.
In 2023, former President Trump expressed significant outrage regarding his treatment by NBC News and MSNBC, leading him to threaten legal action against these networks for what he claimed was biased reporting.
He also acted on a similar threat directed at CBS after they broadcast an edited interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris. USA Today reported that ‘CBS News is facing a $20 billion lawsuit from Trump over the editing of his former opponent Kamala Harris’ response to a question regarding the U.S.-Israeli relationship during an October 2025 interview on ’60 Minutes.’
The article further noted that ‘Trump has consistently criticized the media, and the lawsuit against CBS is unfolding amidst various initiatives from the administration that raise concerns among advocates of press freedom.
Here is what you need to know about the lawsuit.’ Additionally, ‘The lawsuit entered mediation last month, indicating that CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, may opt for a settlement, which raises worries about how this could reinforce the administration’s increasingly confrontational approach towards major media organizations, as reported by the New York Times.’
Supporters of Trump typically back his actions against the media, viewing them as essential measures against perceived journalistic bias. Many contend that the president is not suppressing free speech but rather holding journalists accountable for their reporting.
His administration’s policies have facilitated greater access for conservative media outlets, podcasters, and influencers, while simultaneously confronting organizations like the Associated Press and other left-leaning news publishers when deemed necessary.
