Staff Reports
Donald Trump fired a shot across the bow of the Wall Street Journal, claiming its reporting on his transition team’s appointments was as delightful as a trip to the dentist. The recent kerfuffle arose when Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew his nomination to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, a move that Trump attributes to the newspaper’s “obnoxious and unreadable” coverage. Apparently, the sheriff’s decision to step back was a subtle way to pay homage to his loyal constituents in Hillsborough County, but Trump had his own reasons for pulling the plug on this appointment.
In a spirited rant on Truth Social, Trump took particular issue with the Journal’s banner headline claiming his DEA nominee’s withdrawal was a “setback.” According to Trump, he is far too busy to let a little hiccup with a Cabinet pick be considered the main story of the day. After all, he just secured the title of President of the United States once again. It seems the Journal may want to rethink their news priorities when there are bigger fish to fry in the world. Plus, Trump’s claims of responsibility for Chronister’s exit suggest that loyalty will be the name of the game in his administration, a principle that may have been lost on the sheriff.
The depths of Trump’s indignation also hint at a pattern within his administration. Loyalty is the golden rule, and not adhering to it can lead to disastrous consequences, especially for those who dare to criticize the man in the Oval Office. If reports are to be believed, Chronister made some less than glowing remarks about Trump to conservative religious circles, and those comments had wings—the kind that made their way back to Trump faster than a whiff of the latest anti-Trump editorial.
🚨🚨 JUST IN: Trump Pulls Nomination For Massive Administration Post, Explains Whyhttps://t.co/Y58p90XIyb
— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) December 5, 2024
Despite the Journal’s attempts to paint this situation as a catastrophe, Trump seems to see it as a blessing in disguise. He wonders how this could be classified as a setback when he’s just clinched a presidential win. A casual yet blistering jab about the Journal’s journalistic integrity was also thrown in for good measure, contrasting its coverage with that of “stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine.” Clearly, the cold war with the media hasn’t thawed since Trump first hit the political stage, and he knows precisely how to bait the press into reacting with his remarks.
Meanwhile, skepticism around Chronister’s nomination was already brewing in conservative circles long before the withdrawal saga unfolded. Congressman Thomas Massie put the sheriff on blast for kneeling to Black Lives Matter activists and arresting a pastor who simply wanted to conduct services during a pandemic. If that level of pandering to the woke crowd reached the president-elect’s ears, it’s evident he is once again attuned to the feelings of his base. The takeaway? If you want to make it in Trump’s administration, understanding the core values of his supporters is not just advisable—it’s essential.
