What was it like to cover President Donald Trump?
I covered the Trump White House for four roller coaster years.
My job wasn’t simply to report on and write stories. To do that right, I had to master the logistics of the White House press team and the press corps.
EPISODE II, THE BATTLE FOR ACCESS lays out how a regional reporter maneuvered behind the big cable stars in the front rows to earn a seat and recognition in the most competitive territory in journalism.
In the beginning, I spent as much time trying to figure out the mechanics of getting answers as to the answers themselves.
My mission is to share with you the anguish, the drama, the logic and the occasional magic of covering the 45th president – from the back of the pack.
I’ll say it now. Covering the White House was an honor and a privilege – it also feels much better in the rearview mirror.
For me, it began with a question about the Oscars.
Enjoy the ride. Let me know if you have any thoughts, please.
Debra J. Saunders, a senior fellow with the Discovery Institute’s Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership covered the White House for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Reach her at dsaunders@discovery.org.