Trump reportedly grew furious with his aides over media coverage of his trips to Dayton and El Paso

A plan concocted by President Trump's aides concerning his visits this week to El Paso and Dayton — both sites of mass shootings last weekend — backfired, The New York Times reports.

Trump's staff reportedly kept reporters away from the president during his visit, mainly to avoid overwhelming patients in recovery, three people briefed on what took place told the Times. But when Trump began noticing negative headlines about his trip while watching television on Air Force One, he reportedly grew furious, ordering his aides to begin producing proof that people were, in fact, happy to see him.

So, the aides began distributing photos and video of Trump posing with doctors, nurses, and family members, including one photo in which he's giving a thumbs up while standing alongside the brother of a victim, who says he began receiving hate calls after the photograph circulated. A White House official told the Times that Trump was not being insensitive, but rather showing his "authentic" self, by being approachable and supportive, while posing for the photograph.

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Regardless, the Times notes that the situation was in line with the idea that Trump is highly reactive to news coverage and is very desirous of accolades when he thinks he does something that deserves praise. Read more at The New York Times.