Trump's First 100 Days: The media circus goes on

White House spokesman Sean Spicer holds a press briefing at the White House in Washington February 7, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

Much of the negative comments about Trump's first 100 days have been labelled "fake news" and certain media organisations such as the New York Times and CNN have been accused of ongoing political bias and finally faced the unprecedented penalty of being blocked from a White House press briefing.

This has led Trump to carry on the same direct appeal to the people that won him much free publicity during his election campaign. He does not trust the mainstream media to report events accurately.

He has bypassed them to speak directly to the nation at what were originally televised press conferences and held rallies like the most recent one in Florida as though he was still campaigning.

While this is considered unusual, and some would say inappropriate for a president, it has ensured one thing. Trump has been front page if not headline news virtually every day since coming into office - not just in American media but in much world media too.

The pillars of American democracy are the separation of powers- executive, congress and judiciary - providing checks and balances. Yet Trump has demeaned the judges that have blocked his executive orders.

That most visible defeat on his proposed "travel ban" showed a rash approach to impress. Yes, rethink vetting procedures to keep America safe, but no need to ban legitimate visitors from those seven countries first when there was no evidence of any imminent threat from their citizens nor any recent history to raise concern.

As most international arrivals land on the two American coasts which are generally Democrat heartlands, confrontation was likely. Perhaps Trump was looking for it.

Then we have what political scientists call "The Fourth Estate" - the media that can expose wrongdoing, deceit and unpopular policies and hold politicians to account.

An enduring example is the Washington Post bringing about the downfall of President Nixon in the Watergate scandal.

As noted above, Trump intends to dismiss and debunk much of what the media publishes.

However, the media were right to raise concerns about some of his cabinet picks and their connections. Even his White House press spokesman and other media-facing colleagues have given alternative (false) facts.

Time will tell if it is wise to make enemies of most of the media, but for now one thing is sure--after the first 100 days the media circus will go on. Some of us are getting addicted to our daily dose of Donald Trump.