Thread by @julianzelizer

Remember the big scandal at the @whca dinner last year? This remains an important lesson for reporters about the need to be much more vigilant when reacting to the noise that comes out of @realDonaldTrump's administration. /1

Following the #WHCD, much of the news media fell for the Trumpian playbook hook, line and sinker./2

@michelleisawolf delivered a hard-hitting comedy set, much of which was critical of the way that the news media covered @realDonaldTrump and ignored many pertinent stories./3

The problem occurred when @michelleisawolf turned to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders @PressSec, who was seated a few chairs down, and took some digs at her willingness to lie and twist the truth./4

A few key moments:

“We are graced with Sarah’s presence tonight. I have to say I’m a little star-struck. I love you as Aunt Lydia in 'The Handmaid’s Tale.' Mike Pence, if you haven’t seen it, you would love it.” /5

"Every time Sarah steps up to the podium I get excited, because I’m not really sure what we’re going to get. You know, a press briefing, a bunch of lies or divided into softball teams. 'It’s shirts and skins, and this time don’t be such a little b----, Jim Acosta!' /6

"I actually really like Sarah. I think she’s very resourceful. Like she burns facts, and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Like maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s lies. It’s probably lies.”/7

"I’m never really sure what to call Sarah Huckabee Sanders, you know? Is it Sarah Sanders, is it Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is it Cousin Huckabee, is it Auntie Huckabee Sanders? Like, what’s Uncle Tom but for white women who disappoint other white women? Oh, I know. Ann Coulter."/8

You can watch the whole performance here.
/9

That’s when all hell broke loose. Some Republicans said they walked out because they were so outraged by the remarks. Others demanded an apology. @realDonaldTrump, known for being cautious and sensitive in how he treats others, tweeted. /10

Obviously, it was ironic to see the president’s supporters, given his record of insulting people (looks and more), take this issue up with righteous indignation. Also, they claimed Wolf was mocking Sanders's appearance rather her relationship with the truth./11

Still, many smart reporters sent out tweets about the stand-up being inappropriate. There was endless discussion on tv and twitter. The WHCA apologized. #WHCD19 has a historian speaking instead of a comedian. In other words, they helped legitimate the president’s claims./12

To be sure, A few commentators were willing to stick out their necks to challenge the conventional wisdom. @jonfavs had one of the best tweets./13

All of this was just another example of Trump’s media tactics. He takes an event—any will do—twists what happened to claim that his administration is a victim and then generates a media conversation until the next story breaks. /14 @ReliableSources @brianstelter

This is the same strategy he uses during more serious matters, such as the coverage of the Mueller investigation. Just think of how many reporters went on an apology tour after Attorney General Barr’s misleading letter about the contents./15

As two major stories unfold—the congressional response to the Mueller findings and the 2020 campaign—the media needs remember the lessons of the 2018 WHCD./16

1-Don’t instantly respond to administration outrage 2-Don’t take the administration’s claims of wrongdoing at face value 3- Don't ignore how most controversies from the Oval Office are meant to fuel the “Trump against the world narrative.”/17

@michelleisawolf, @HillaryClinton, Robert Mueller, @Comey, the late Senator McCain, the "Fake News," @AOC, @JebBush and many more--all are part of the president's ongoing efforts to tell his base about the villains in his @WWE world of politics./18

By the way, the best line in Wolf’s set came at the very end when she said: “Flint still doesn’t have clean water” before a mic drop. Unfortunately, that joke still sticks. Take a look at this story from @nytimes./end
nytimes.com/2019/04/25/us/…

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