Trump’s Frustrations Rise as CBS Resigns McMaster

Focus Keyword: CBS News McMaster

Introduction

President Donald Trump’s relationship with CBS News is reportedly deteriorating as the network has decided to re-sign retired Lt. General H.R. McMaster as a contributor. This decision may not sit well with the former president, who has expressed discontent towards McMaster in the past.

CBS News Takes a Noteworthy Step

On Wednesday, Dylan Byers from Puck revealed that CBS News is bringing back several contributors, including McMaster, who has been with the network since 2022. McMaster’s previous critiques of Trump’s policies, particularly regarding military transparency during Caribbean operations, may have added to the former president’s woes.

Financial Details

• CBS contributors typically receive:
  • $30,000 upfront
  • $1,000 per appearance

This ongoing collaboration seems to reaffirm McMaster’s place in the network despite past controversy.

Tensions Between Trump and McMaster

Reports indicate that the relationship between Trump and McMaster has been fraught with tensions. Key points of contention include:

• Policy Disagreements: McMaster has openly disagreed with Trump on several issues, such as climate change and immigration.
• Personal Critiques: McMaster allegedly characterized Trump as having "the intelligence of a kindergartner," reflecting deep-seated animosity from both sides.
• Leadership Style: Trump reportedly found McMaster’s “gruff and condescending” demeanor off-putting before his departure in March 2018.

“Why the f*** would I talk to [Gen. McMaster]?” – Trump’s frustration surfaced after an accidental phone connection to his former adviser.

McMaster’s Subsequent Criticism of Trump

Following his time in the White House, McMaster wrote a pointed critique of the Trump administration in a book titled, “At War With Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House.” This portrayal has drawn ire from Trump, who labeled the book as a “third-rate” work filled with inaccuracies.

On 60 Minutes, McMaster’s skepticism towards Trump’s handling of foreign affairs, particularly regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, further intensified Trump’s disdain. Trump has since labelled him a "weak and ineffective loser."

CBS News’ Changing Dynamics

Despite new ownership under David Ellison, who has publicly committed to altering CBS’ perceived liberal bias, the network has continued to air anti-Trump segments. Following interviews with figures like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump took to social media, asserting that CBS under Ellison’s management is "NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP."

Ellison’s Intentions

• Ellison previously pledged to provide more balanced journalism.
• Steps taken include appointing Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief and Kenneth Weinstein, previously of the Hudson Institute, as ombudsman.

Continued Tension

Trump remains frustrated by CBS’s recent editorial choices, even after they preempted the finale of Survivor for his primetime address. He went as far as to downplay his relationship with the new owners, stating:

“60 Minutes has treated me far worse since the so-called ‘takeover,’ than they have ever treated me before.”

Conclusion

As CBS News reinforces its partnership with H.R. McMaster, the resulting tension with Trump is expected to escalate. With Trump’s ongoing critique of the network and its leadership, the media landscape promises to remain fraught with conflicts and controversies. For those interested in the intersection of media and politics, keeping an eye on the evolving dynamics between Trump and CBS News is essential.

For more detailed insights into media politics, visit CBS News or follow the latest developments on the topic at Reuters.