Trump rails against press in response to
reports of chaos
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[August 15, 2016]
By Ginger Gibson
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Reuters) - U.S.
Republican Donald Trump on Saturday repeated his attack on President
Barack Obama that he helped "found" Islamic State and railed against
media reports that his campaign is failing, at a campaign rally in
Connecticut, a state where he has a long-shot of being victorious.
Speaking for more than an hour in a sweltering room, Trump spent a
significant portion of his speech complaining about the media.
He again threatened to revoke the press credentials of The New York
Times. The credentials allow reporters access to press-only areas of his
campaign events. He has already banned other outlets, including The
Washington Post.
On Saturday, the New York newspaper published an article detailing
failed efforts to make Trump focus his campaign on the general election.
"These are the most dishonest people," Trump said. "Maybe we'll start
thinking about taking their press credentials away from them."
Trump visiting Connecticut, a heavily Democratic state, raised eyebrows
among many Republicans.
"It's asinine that he would be in Connecticut holding a public rally
less than 90 days before the election," said Republican strategist Matt
Mackowiak. "You don't see Hillary publicly campaigning in Idaho and
Mississippi. I have to think this proves the candidate is running the
campaign, which explains why it's such a disaster of biblical
proportions."
At several points the crowd chanted "lock her up," a frequent campaign
rally chant in reference to Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
Trump told the crowd that normally he responds by saying he intends
instead to defeat her in the Nov. 8 election, but this time added, "You
know what? You have a point!"
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a
campaign event in Fairfield , Connecticut, U.S., August 13, 2016.
REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin
Trump also dropped his recent efforts to say he was not being
serious when he said Obama was the "founder" of the Islamic State
militant group .
"It's the opinion of myself and a lot of people that he was the
founder," Trump told the crowd.
Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized Trump's assertion as
patently false.
Trump took a detour from attacking Clinton's economic record to
discuss the 1998 scandal involving White House intern Monica
Lewinsky and former President Bill Clinton, whom Republicans
attempted to impeach.
"Remember when he said, he did not have sex with that woman, and a
couple of weeks later, oh you got me," Trump said, to cheers. He
then made reference to a blue dress that became a symbol in the
investigation. "I'm so glad they kept that dress, so glad they kept
that dress, because it shows what the hell they are."
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
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