Trump criticizes journalist for misunderstanding his claims

Former President Donald Trump criticized journalist Ashley Parker from The Atlantic in a recent social media post. He claimed she is not "capable or competent" because she does not know that he "won the presidency three times." This statement is incorrect. Trump won the presidency in 2016 and again in 2024, but lost in 2020. Parker has earned three Pulitzer Prizes for her journalism. Trump has frequently claimed that he won the 2020 election, despite there being no evidence to support this. He described Parker as a "Radical Left Lunatic" and said he would prefer to talk to another reporter. Additionally, Trump attacked The Atlantic, calling it a "third-rate magazine." He accused the publication of misreporting on a 2018 trip to France, where he allegedly made disrespectful comments about soldiers. Although Trump denies making those remarks, former chief of staff John Kelly confirmed them in 2023. In his post, Trump said The Atlantic is losing money and predicted it would soon "fold up." He also expressed his desire for a more competent and fair reporter for future interviews. The Atlantic responded by defending its journalists, emphasizing their commitment to covering important stories. This is not the first time Trump has targeted Parker. In 2019, he criticized her and another reporter over a Washington Post article that portrayed his administration unfavorably. Trump's recent comments reflect his continuing tension with the media since returning to public life. He has threatened to sue media outlets, restricted certain reporters' access to events, and labeled major news networks as biased. Trump has consistently referred to the press as "fake news" and "the enemy of the people."