Trending Now - Trump Plays With Journalists Seeking His Personal Contact Info

WHO:

President Donald Trump

ABC News

Max Tani, journalist at Semafor

White House official (anonymous)

Kristen Welker, host of Meet the Press

Garrett Haake, NBC News reporter

Barak Ravid, Axios reporter

Michael Scherer, The Atlantic

Natalie Allison, reporter at The Washington Post

WHAT:

President Trump scolded ABC News as "corrupt" during a press gaggle on Air Force One on March 12th, 2026.

Trump has been described as "the most transparent and accessible president in history" by the White House.

Trump’s personal phone number has become a point of interest for journalists, leading to a scramble for access.

Trump reportedly treats calls from journalists casually, often putting them on speaker and chatting loosely.

Journalists have developed strategies for contacting Trump, including calling late at night or after he posts on Truth Social.

WHERE:

Air Force One

Washington, D.C.

Locations of various media organizations, including NBC News, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post.

WHEN:

March 12th, 2026: Trump scolded ABC News.

February 2026: Kristen Welker received Trump’s number at a Semafor event.

2016: Trump was elected president.

2018: Trump called Pete Hegseth during White House meetings.

WHY:

Journalists seek Trump’s number to gain exclusive insights and interviews.

Trump’s casual approach to media interactions is seen as a way to maintain control over his messaging.

HOW:

Journalists have shared Trump’s number among themselves, with some acquiring it from family members or business figures.

Strategies for contacting Trump include timing calls for when he is likely to be available, such as late evenings or after golf.

(UPDATED March 16, 2026 21:12 UTC)

Last Monday, President Trump criticized ABC News as "corrupt" during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One, while the White House touted him as "the most transparent and accessible president in history." Journalists are eager to get in touch with Trump, often sharing his personal phone number among themselves and developing strategies to reach him, such as calling late at night or after he posts on Truth Social. This casual approach to media interactions has sparked interest in gaining exclusive insights and interviews, as Trump reportedly treats these calls lightly, sometimes putting them on speaker and chatting freely.