Politics / France
Calling Donald Trump
Danny Kemp shares insights into the process of calling Donald Trump's personal mobile phone, emphasizing the importance of timing, especially during breaking news events. The call took place after the announcement of the Iran ceasefire, showcasing the competitive nature of journalism.
Source material: Derrière l'info: les coulisses d'un coup de fil de l'AFP à Trump
Summary
Danny Kemp shares insights into the process of calling Donald Trump's personal mobile phone, emphasizing the importance of timing, especially during breaking news events. The call took place after the announcement of the Iran ceasefire, showcasing the competitive nature of journalism.
Kemp describes the directness of the call, where Trump answered promptly, allowing for a brief exchange. He highlights Trump's declaration of the ceasefire as a 'total and complete victory,' despite existing uncertainties surrounding the agreement.
Kemp notes the challenges of keeping Trump on the line, as conversations can be short. He mentions a previous call that yielded little information, contrasting it with this more successful interaction.
The journalist discusses the competitive landscape of White House reporting, where exclusivity and timely information are crucial. He reflects on the surreal experience of speaking with Trump, balancing personal distractions while engaging with the president.
Perspectives
short
Danny Kemp's Perspective
- Highlights the strategic timing needed to call Trump during breaking news
- Describes the surreal experience of speaking directly with the president
- Emphasizes the competitive nature of journalism in obtaining exclusive insights
- Notes the unpredictability of Trumps responses during calls
- Mentions the necessity of leaving time between calls to maintain access
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledges the challenges of keeping Trump engaged during calls
- Recognizes the differences in access between Trump and other political figures
Metrics
call_duration
about a minute, a minute and a half minutes
duration of the call with Trump
Short calls may limit the depth of information obtained.
After about a minute, a minute and a half, Trump goes, OK, thank you very much.
previous_calls
a colleague's I know of being had him on the phone for eight minutes
duration of a previous call with Trump
Longer calls may provide more comprehensive insights.
a colleague's I know of being had him on the phone for eight minutes.
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Danny Kemp describes the strategic timing required to call Donald Trump's personal mobile phone, particularly during breaking news events. The call after the Iran ceasefire announcement illustrates the competitive nature of journalism in obtaining exclusive insights.
- Danny Kemp, an experienced AFP correspondent, describes the rarity of directly calling Donald Trumps personal mobile phone, which requires both luck and strategic timing during major news events
- The call occurred right after the announcement of a ceasefire with Iran, highlighting the importance of timing for journalists seeking exclusive insights during breaking news
- Trump characterized the ceasefire as a total and complete victory, reflecting his tendency to present events positively, which is vital for influencing public perception
- Kemp emphasized the competitive dynamics among White House journalists, who strategically choose when to contact Trump to maximize their chances of obtaining exclusive information
- The surreal experience of speaking with a sitting president adds complexity to journalism, as illustrated by Kemps mix of excitement and nerves during the call
- Kemp made the call from home, underscoring the challenges journalists face in balancing personal life with the demands of engaging with influential figures like Trump