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.
-
Alterations: 'riveting' 1970s tailoring comedy is a lot of fun
The Week Recommends 'Retro gem' from the National Theatre's Black Plays Archive 'springs into life' from the start
By The Week UK Published
-
Has World Book Day become a 'horror show'?
Talking Point Annual event to encourage children to read for pleasure is sore spot for parents under 'growing pressure' to create character costumes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Festival of Sport announces exciting media partnership with The Week Junior
Festival of Sport, the UK’s premier family-friendly sports festival, has officially teamed up with The Week Junior as its exclusive media partner.
By The Week Junior Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published