President Donald Trump addressed reporters on September 26 before departing the White House for an event in Tennessee. During the interaction, Trump responded to a question from a journalist regarding his preference for media coverage, stating, 'I want real news, not fake news, like you.'
The exchange occurred as Trump prepared to board Air Force One for a trip to attend the University of Tennessee vs. University of Texas college football game. The president’s remarks were made in response to a query about whether he sought to surround himself only with outlets supportive of his administration. No further details about the reporter’s question or the context of the exchange were provided in the available reporting.
Trump has frequently criticized news organizations he perceives as unsympathetic to his policies or statements. His comments reflect a longstanding pattern of challenging media outlets he accuses of disseminating inaccurate or biased information. The president’s remarks were delivered publicly before boarding the aircraft, with no immediate follow-up from the White House or the reporter involved.