The last time that Donald Trump held a press conference was July 27, the day before the Democratic convention ended. The next day, Khizr Khan gave his speech challenging Trump's proposal to bar Muslims from entering the United States. The fall-out from that speech lasted a week; in short order, the polls shifted dramatically in favor of Hillary Clinton. Trump slowly made his way back in the polls, swapping out his campaign staff in mid-August. But since then, he's refrained from fielding questions from a cluster of reporters.
This cycle, Trump's 71-day lack of press conferences is far from a record by a presidential nominee. That crown is worn by Clinton, who went more than 270 days without holding one. Were Trump holding regular interviews with national media (besides Sean Hannity), this wouldn't be a big deal at all.
The thing is, though, that Trump's campaign made a big deal out of how long it had been since Clinton held a press conference. A big deal. "Why is the press okay with that?" campaign manager Kellyanne Conway asked in August, shortly before Clinton's drought ended. The campaign ran near-daily updates on how long it had been since Clinton held a presser.
In honor of the period that's elapsed since Trump himself held a press conference, here are 71 times his campaign, his staff and their allies demanded that Clinton do the same.
1.
2. Campaign manager Conway
Press COULD ask Hillary that, if she ever held a press conference. https://t.co/mdrVYOeeh2
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 15, 2016
3.
And not a single one was a press conference. https://t.co/w4kmv3GulU
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 16, 2016
4.
Day 262: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 23, 2016
5.
Day 263: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 24, 2016
6.
Day 264: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 25, 2016
7.
Day 265: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 26, 2016
8.
Day 266: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 27, 2016
9.
Day 267: No press conference. And no press outrage.
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 28, 2016
10.
Day 272 without a press conference, yet Tim Kaine says Hillary "talks to the press everywhere she goes." Really? https://t.co/idNx4Ql4sN
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) September 1, 2016
11.
And then what happened, guys? @StevePeoples @TheFix. Are you now on your way to a Hillary presser? https://t.co/BOU74YYiSY
— Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) August 31, 2016
12. Social media director Dan Scavino
https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/769596247044919300
13.
https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/768752174667010052
14.
August 24, 2016
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) August 24, 2016
2️⃣6️⃣3️⃣DAYS WITHOUT A PRESS CONFERENCE. #CrookedHillary pic.twitter.com/u6NbPkJIrF
15.
August 23, 2016
— Dan Scavino Jr.🇺🇸🦅 (@DanScavino) August 23, 2016
2️⃣6️⃣2️⃣DAYS WITHOUT A PRESS CONFERENCE. #CrookedHillary pic.twitter.com/v6SHU0tED5
16. Communications director Jason Miller
.@Kasie on @hillaryclinton just now: “There’s a reason why she hasn’t had a press conference since December of last year.” @Morning_Joe
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 16, 2016
17.
Doesn't look like a press conference: https://t.co/38mNCwuhTV
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 22, 2016
18.
https://twitter.com/JasonMillerinDC/status/768626691933671424
19.
Clinton Dodged On Whether She’ll Hold A Press Conference https://t.co/ouyxcnZ99A via @YouTube
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 25, 2016
20.
272 days since last @HillaryClinton press conference...I don't think folks will quit asking when next one will be! https://t.co/4oA7HL0MJi
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) September 2, 2016
21.
274 Days And Counting! "Kaine Falsely Claims Clinton Has Held Press Conference Recently https://t.co/nhu3pcCXB0 via @YouTube"
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) September 4, 2016
22.
Deer, meet headlights: "Kaine Dodged Over Whether Clinton Will Hold Press Conference https://t.co/EFBV2QJL25 via @YouTube"
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) September 4, 2016
23. The campaign's social media account
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34. The Republican Party
181 days since @HillaryClinton held a press conference. What's she hiding from? Emails? https://t.co/eKdr8OBMwa
— GOP (@GOP) June 2, 2016
35.
The last time @HillaryClinton held a press conference: December 4, 2015
— GOP (@GOP) June 21, 2016
200 DAYS AGO
36.
Hillary Clinton has a new strategy to avoid lying to the press—stop talking to them https://t.co/wB2i3KiWjY pic.twitter.com/33UxyT9r7L
— GOP (@GOP) June 21, 2016
37.
.@HillaryClinton hasn't had a press conference in over 260+ days. Unacceptable. RT if you agree. pic.twitter.com/f02IQODJ02
— GOP (@GOP) August 24, 2016
38. Republican Party communications director Sean Spicer
RNC calls on @HillaryClinton to hold press conference amid foundation controversy@dcexaminer @sarahcwestwood @GOP https://t.co/OGIeyZMGDX
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) August 24, 2016
39.
265 Days Since @HillaryClinton Held A Press Conference https://t.co/N9WunIxB7Q
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) August 26, 2016
40.
Hey @HillaryClinton turn on the tv. It's a press conference
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) August 31, 2016
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63. The Drudge Report
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
https://twitter.com/BreitbartNews/status/768615334689509376
69.
Why hasn't she done a press conference for 261 days? The reporters will be asking way too hard questions, prof says: https://t.co/TSK3UNwtQb
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) August 22, 2016
70.
71.
How'd the American people force Clinton to hold a press conference? By Breitbart unveiling a countdown clock calling her on it, only two short months after we introduced a clock of our own.
Perhaps the American people can rally to the cause once again! What say you, Breitbart?