Trump aide dismisses media criticism of ‘birther’ news event

by Rebecca Savransky - 09/18/16 11:19 AM ET

Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, on Sunday dismissed media criticism of an event during which the Republican presidential nominee discussed the “birther” issue.

{mosads}”I can’t believe so many in the media were upset that they had to give 25 minutes of coverage to these incredible veterans and military heroes who took the stage,” Conway said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“Don’t they deserve 25 minutes of coverage? I mean, everybody’s stomping their feet again, because people get themselves up in this tizzy and they project onto our campaign what they think is about to happen.”

Trump on Friday declared President Obama was born in the U.S., an issue his campaign had said he would speak about ahead of the event. But he didn’t speak about Obama’s birthplace until more than 20 minutes into the event at his new hotel. Cable news networks covered the event live and broadcast 20 minutes of veterans who support Trump lauding his policies.

At the end of the event, Trump didn’t answer any questions from reporters. Reporters and news anchors criticized the Republican nominee for how he handled the event.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper said Trump had “rick rolled” the media. Other reporters criticized Trump for pulling a “con job” by not answering questions.

“We got played, again, by the Trump campaign, which is what they do,” CNN’s John King said on air. “He got a live event broadcast for some 20 minutes.”

“Our campaign event were military generals and heroes, frankly real heroes … showing their support,” Conway said on Sunday.

“I’m sorry that the media thinks that it was going there for something — they didn’t need to go there. They don’t need to cover at all. But they want to cover him.”

Conway then slammed the media for the way reporters talk about Trump on social media.

“People are supposed to be covering our candidate, not slandering him consistently on social media,” Conway said.

“I would say there’s a lot of cleaning up to go there.”

Tags Donald Trump Sunday shows