Trump spends campaign rally complaining about how he is treated by media amid record-low approval ratings

President Donald Trump used a Monday night rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, meant to boost Republican midterm candidates, largely to air grievances about press coverage. He said the country needs a fair media, accused some outlets of trying to smear and demoralize his movement, and coined the label "artificial media" to pair with "fake news." Earlier that day on Truth Social, he said The New York Times and other outlets should be arrested for reporting empty seats at his recent rallies, which he denied, according to The Independent.

The tension with reporters has a recent history. CNN, MS NOW and Politico were shut out of covering his daily White House activities, sued over First Amendment concerns, and a federal judge ordered their press badges temporarily restored. Politico was then kept off Air Force One on Monday. The White House told The Independent that flying aboard is a privilege, not a right, and called Trump the most accessible president ever.

Trump touted record median household income, though food prices rose 2. 7 percent and energy costs 16. 3 percent year over year in August. A Reuters/Ipsos poll put his approval at 32 percent, with 65 percent disapproving.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →