Fact checking Trump’s most recent press conference: Electoral College, Putin and the press
By the numbers:
- Percent of Americans who hold an unfavorable view of Russia: 65 percent
- Obama’s presidential rank in historian’s eyes: 12th
- Trump’s approval rating: 44.7 percent
We’re fact checking yesterday’s Trump update today because it was half Trump quotes, and that calls for some sort of checking. On Trump’s claim that he had the largest electoral victory in history:Here’s what Trump said:
“270 which you need, that was laughable. We got 306 because people came out and voted like they’ve never seen before so that’s the way it goes. I guess it was the biggest Electoral College win since Ronald Reagan.”
Trump has had nowhere near the biggest Electoral College win since former President Ronald Reagan. In fact, he won by the smallest margin since Reagan. Barack Obama won with 332 and 365 in 2012 and 2008, respectively. George H. Bush took home 426 in 1988 and, Bill Clinton won with margins of 370 and 379.
On his lack of calls with Russia and his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin:
“Don’t speak to people from Russia,” Trump said. “Not that I wouldn’t. I just have nobody to speak to.I spoke to Putin twice. He called me on the election.”This one is easy — Trump contradicted himself. In case you need a second source, yes, Trump and Putin have spoken on the phone.
On today’s headlines:
“Tomorrow, they will say, “Donald Trump rants and raves at the press,” Trump said.Yesterday The New Political ran with a subhead that said “Trump announces Labor Secretary, raves against the press.” Chalk one up to Trump; he was telling the truth with this one.
White House finally fills Communications position
The White House has finally filled the communications director role with Michael Dubke, a Republican strategist. The position has been plagued with denials since Jason Miller initially declined to take the role back in December. Dubke has a working relationship with Sean Spicer, the current press secretary, so the transition for Dubke should be rather smooth and bring forth a more unified message. Meanwhile Republicans such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have asked the White House to stay on message. Whether Dubke can fulfill McConnell’s wish remains to be seen.