On Wednesday morning, Donald Trump resumed one of his familiar habits—attacking the media over how they cover his actions. The president-elect took to his Truth Social platform to blast the Wall Street Journal after the publication reported that his nominee for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, had voluntarily withdrawn his name for consideration, citing concerns that the role might be too much for him to handle.
Trump was quick to correct the narrative, claiming that Chronister’s withdrawal was not voluntary but a result of his own decision. “He didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,” Trump wrote. “But, more importantly, what’s my ‘latest’ setback??? I just won the Presidency of the United States!”
Trump was particularly irate over the Wall Street Journal’s headline, which read: “Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out In Latest Setback.” He slammed the outlet, writing, “The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable.”
The former president also expressed frustration over what he sees as a long history of negative press coverage. “They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS,” Trump ranted. “Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!”
Trump’s remarks come amid a flurry of headlines surrounding his post-election moves, including a reported series of withdrawals and changes in his cabinet nominations. While the Wall Street Journal framed the Chronister decision as a setback, Trump was quick to reject the characterization, arguing that his administration’s victory in securing the presidency overshadowed any perceived misstep.