Why most journalists are tired of fact-checking Donald Trump

As I look at a decade of coverage of the man who loves all things gold, I have to conclude that many journalists are suffering from Exhaustion Syndrome.

Its not about being physically tired, and of course there are exceptions. No, the syndrome involves throwing up your hands and abandoning basic fact-checking because, you know, they think, what the hell, everyone knows Trump says lots and lots of things that are untrue.

Much of this is tied to the surge in social media. After all, why do a second-day story analyzing what the president did or said when the hot story is Trump praising Nicki Minaj and her beautiful butt?

As for the truth-squadding part, dont worry, I have the receipts. 

The other day, the president came out and said he had ordered the to intervene in the crazy Alaska election. It was right there. He didnt hide it. Pronounced it out in the open. 

I know the widespread belief that the department was doing his bidding — charging James Comey a third time? For younger readers, there used to be a brick wall between the White House and DOJ. 

If Joe Biden had breached that wall only once, he would have been impeached, convicted and behind bars.

As a former Justice Department reporter, I can tell you that divide hasnt been pulverized since Watergate, when AG John Mitchell went to prison.

Now a couple of the Sunday hosts, CNNs Dana Bash and CBSs Margaret Brennan, aggressively pressed Attorney General Todd Blanche about the controversy (two Dan Sullivans, and as the New York Times disclosed, the second guy was recruited by the Democrats).

At one point, Blanche addressed the presidents order that his department file a lawsuit.

“No, no, he didnt say it on camera,” the AG insisted. “Yes he did,” Brennan shot back.

Indeed, he did. But as I looked at the major papers the next day, the press had moved on. (My apologies if I missed someones brilliant analysis). It was as if the story no longer existed.    

Thats Trump Exhaustion Syndrome in action.

Heres another example. Just a couple of days ago, Trump said that while he might move the press briefing room, “the old swimming pool will never be brought back. I NEVER even thought of doing such a stupid thing!”

That didnt sound right to me, and boy was I exhausted after 20 seconds of fact-checking.

People Magazine, just last month: “As President Donald Trump fights in court to ban particular news organizations from the White House, he suggested converting the White House press briefing room back to the indoor pool built during Franklin Delano Roosevelts tenure in The Peoples House.”

So we have a new definition of fake news: something the president used to say but has since changed his view and no longer stands by his previous position. 

I want to make something clear: I am not anti-Trump. I like him personally. Ive covered him on and off since 1987, and interviewed him six times during the 2024 campaign. 

He can definitely be a charming guy in person. Most of the time, weve gotten along fine — hes sent me a number of favorable notes — and sometimes, as is typical with him, not so much. 

Theres a reason half the country voted for him, even if many are now unhappy about the Iran war and rising prices at the pump. My goal here is to write about press behavior. 

Trump is a master media manipulator. He has known, since I was in New York writing about his exploits as a combative developer, how to distract the press from an unfavorable story, and hes acknowledged as much to me.

When the president says “Norway sucks” and is a “s***-house country” (because hes still ticked off about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize), he knows it will make news. 

Same with his comments about Nicki Minajs anatomy. He understands most of the press will take the bait. Oh, and sometimes Trump just gets carried away at rallies.

Im not saying these things dont deserve a mention in a feature col