Trump had a strong desire for media validation, but according to Bannon, it was clear he would never accurately represent the facts or admit his inaccuracies. This fundamental disconnect meant that Trump could never achieve the approval he sought from the media.
As a result, Trump resorted to demanding a vigorous defense against negative media coverage. Instead of striving for accuracy or acceptance, he focused on countering criticism and fostering a protective narrative around his persona, underscoring the combative relationship he maintained with the press throughout his presidency.