I know reporters who gave their lives to tell the truth about war. My father gave seven years of his freedom. How dare this man who wouldn’t serve his country when he was called upon, who hasn’t even been to visit our troops in the field, tell us we cause war. 
I am literally shaking with rage. He is spitting on the memories of our dead colleagues. He is making a mockery of their sacrifice. How can any reporter be objective in the face of such gnawing malice?
With every tweet, Trump makes it easier for despots the world over to attack a free press in their own countries. We will never know how many journalists are languishing in prison as a direct result of his words, which are emboldening their oppressors as never before.
However imperfect its policies and whatever its sins, America once led the world in press freedom. It was an example to shame tyrants who want to shape the media into their mouthpiece. Now our president gives them tacit permission to do so. How far and fast we have fallen.
