Trump says he's not tired of winning in unhelpful Reddit AMA
When Donald Trump announced he would be hosting an "Ask Me Anything" session on the social forum Reddit, it appeared to be a magnificent opportunity for transparency and clarification. This, coming from a man who will famously host "press conferences" and then not take a single question from the press. Now you can ask him anything! Okay, here we go.
But over the course of Trump's hour-long Q-and-A session, he only answered 12 questions, most with sparse and vague answers. Replying to "What role should NASA play in helping to Make America Great Again?" for example, Trump simply said, "Honestly I think NASA is wonderful! America has always led the world in space exploration."
Well, alright. But when "hard" questions were asked, like when journalist Olivia Nuzzi wondered why Trump won't release his tax returns "if he's rich and doesn't have ties to the Russians," the moderators immediately deleted them. What's more, as The Atlantic points out, "Trump broke tradition with his AMA. He didn't host it with the popular /r/IAmA subreddit, where most celebrities set up shop. Instead, he joined /r/The_Donald, a subreddit devoted to his candidacy that is populated by redditors who are fiercely loyal to him." The moderators posted a warning to outsiders that read "WE'RE R/THE_DONALD. OUR PLACE, OUR RULES."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Apparently that meant answering questions like, "Hello Mr. Trump. Are you getting tired of winning?" Trump wrote back "I am never tired of winning, and as your president I will win for you, the American people. I'm with you!"
Over the years, Reddit AMAs have allowed the average person to directly interrogate the likes of Barack Obama, Gordon Ramsay, Steve Wozniak, Patrick Stewart, and Bill Gates. The sessions represent the internet ideals of accessibility and communication. But "tellingly, [Trump's] AMA thread was subject to heavy downvoting, a Reddit sign of disapproval, indicating other voices were not getting through," The Atlantic writes.
Maybe this session wasn't much different than ignoring a room full of raised hands.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published