Journalist Jokes ‘Everyone Has Donald Trump’s Cell Number’ As Reporters Reveal Rare Access
Donald Trump‘s surprising accessibility to the press has left many journalists marveling, with one columnist even joking that “everyone has the president’s cell phone number.”
Despite that openness, Trump has frequently clashed with the media, branding their work “fake news,” walking out of interviews, and even serving subpoenas to some journalists.
He also took aim at reporters during last Friday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Although he tried to win over the crowd with a series of jokes, he ultimately mocked the press, claiming they’re “going to be broke” once he’s no longer in office.
Donald Trump’s public demeanor toward the press has been nothing to write home about, as he regularly labels the news media “fake news” and “enemies of the people.”
Behind the scenes, however, a very different dynamic appears to exist. Despite his frequent attacks on journalists, Trump often picks up the phone when members of the press call, leaving many reporters surprised by just how accessible the commander-in-chief is.
This year, an unprecedented number of stories stemming from reporters’ phone interviews with Trump have revealed that accessibility, prompting columnist Guillemette Faure to joke that “everyone has Donald Trump’s cell number.”
Among them were two New York Times articles following the U.S. intervention in Venezuela. One detailed how Trump celebrated the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a phone interview, while another revealed that a reporter “cold-called” the president at 4:30 a.m. — and he answered.
Reporters Share Their Trump Phone Stories
4Trump appears largely uninterested in the traditional communications process that usually separates presidents from reporters.
His willingness to act as his own communications office has surprised many journalists, several of whom have contrasted his accessibility with that of previous presidents.
Politico White House reporter Sophia Cai even posted a video saying, “Believe it or not, you can just call the president!” She explained that she dialed Trump’s number “in the quiet days after Christmas,” adding that he “picked up, just like anybody else.”
Former journalist Olivia Nuzzi described a similar experience in her 2025 book American Canto, writing: “I called the president. He picked up. He sounded odd… This was his phone number. He had called me on the number recently.”
Even The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer, whom Trump once labeled a liar while dismissing the magazine as “third-rate,” has said he was able to call the president directly one Saturday morning for an interview.
Donald Trump’s Business Past May Explain His Accessibility
4Trump’s unusual openness with reporters may trace back to his decades in real estate, where he frequently negotiated deals over the phone.
Reports suggest that he’ll often call New York tabloids under an alias to give pseudo-scoops into his business, marriages, and divorce. One way or the other, he was always on the phone.
Even in his bestseller The Art of the Deal, Trump depicted his cell phone as an integral part of his life upon which success in business hinges: “I usually arrive at my office by nine, and I get on the phone. There’s rarely a day with fewer than fifty calls, and often it runs to over a hundred.”
Trump Mixes Jokes With Jabs At WHCD
4While Trump’s relationship with the press has largely been defined by criticism, he struck a lighter tone during last Friday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, mixing jokes with familiar attacks on his political rivals and the media.
According to CNN, his speech targeted “familiar foes,” including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, former President Joe Biden, and several reporters, including some from the news network.
“Just remember, before I came along, if you wanted to see someone lose consciousness on the South Lawn of the White House, all you had to do is ask Joe Biden a question,” Trump quipped.
Although some of his jokes were met with long stretches of silence, he drew laughs early on with a remark about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I hope that everyone finally got to enjoy their entire very delicious beef tenderloin. Very special beef,” Trump said. “And I want you all to know that Bobby Kennedy was right here, and personally ran over the cow in his car.”
He also shook hands with several journalists honored during the event, including some who have been highly critical of him and his administration.
Despite trying to lighten the mood throughout the evening, Trump couldn’t resist taking another swipe at the press, joking that news organizations would struggle without him.
“Your business model is going to be finished,” he told the audience. “When I’m not around, you’re gonna be broke. There’s not going to be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else.”
Trump also reignited controversy by joking about running for a “fourth term” while once again repeating his unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden, was rigged.
The remarks served as another reminder of Trump’s complicated relationship with the media — publicly combative, yet unusually direct when it comes to speaking with reporters.