Reporters Keep Calling Trump's Cell. The Answers He's Giving Them Are Revealing One Core Truth.

"Donald Trump's personal cell phone number has been making the rounds among Washington reporters, dozens of whom have used it over the past few weeks to score brief interview after brief interview with the leader of the free world about his ongoing war with Iran. A partial list of media organizations that have published "exclusive" or "scoop"-y quotes after hitting up Trump's iPhone includes leading print publications like the New York Times, TV networks (ABC, NBC, PBS, and CNN), foreign newspapers (the Daily Telegraph and Times of Israel)."

"This cascade of cold-calling is a change from Trump's first term, when White House staffers largely succeeded in gatekeeping the president's personal number from prying journalists. But this time around the secret is increasingly out. Some reporters have gotten Trump's digits through the grapevine or from colleagues; at least one simply asked him."

"According to the Atlantic, getting ahold of Trump has become easy enough that his number is now subject to bidding and bartering among lobbyists, CEOs, world leaders, celebrities, and presumably anybody else looking to worm their way into the most powerful ear on earth."

Donald Trump's personal cell phone number has become widely available to Washington reporters, a significant shift from his first term when White House staff controlled access. Dozens of journalists from major outlets including the New York Times, ABC, NBC, CNN, and foreign publications have used the number to secure brief interviews with Trump about topics ranging from Iran policy to Venezuela and Ukraine. Some reporters obtained the number through colleagues or by asking directly, while others report it has become subject to bidding among lobbyists, CEOs, and world leaders. Trump's willingness to answer calls has resulted in numerous off-the-cuff quotes and scoops, representing a departure from traditional media gatekeeping practices.

Read at Slate Magazine