Potus versus press

On Saturday, Donald Trump capped a week of tumultuous relations with the press by saying he will not attend this year’s White House correspondents’ dinner, which is scheduled for 29 April.

Peter Hinton: “It’s been 36 years since a president last missed the White House Correspondents Dinner. It’s a bigger deal than most might think. Press freedom is guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution. The president’s attendance is an annual acknowledgement of that amendment.”

Janet Marie Henderson: “This is getting ridiculous and laughable.”

Pamela Kink: “Sociopath/narcissist. Hitler wouldn’t have attended either. I surprised he hasn’t ‘banned’ it.”

Zulu Alkebulan Bey: “The last president to not attend the dinner was Ronald Reagan in 1981. But he had a pretty good reason — he was recovering from being shot in an assassination attempt.”

Gary Bivin: “He’s being rather childish about shunning the Press. But Trump may find out that you don’t want to upset the people that are presenting your image to the world.”

Following his announcement, users on social media also began suggesting actor Alec Baldwin take his place at the event.

@hitmeister1: “#stufftrumpisafraidof - The people finding out what he’s hiding in his tax returns.”

@AggLE92: “That 45 will never be as cool as 44 #stufftrumpisafraidof”

@CherylUpNorth: “Justin. Cause...well...sigh :)

@icerinkmomma: “#ThingsTrumpIsAfraidOf Pen Bombs carried by female reporters. #DumpTrump #trumpery”

@LizMarieGhost: “ #TrumpIsAfraidOf the law! #TrumpIsAfraidOf diversity. #TrumpIsAfraidOf women! #TrumpIsAfraidOf the First Amendment!”