I KNOW more about the workings of the West Wing through the TV programme than from any other source. In the run-up to the inauguration of Trump we began to watch the series once again.

It is widely reported that some of Aaron Sorkin’s best episodes were written when he was high on cocaine. Yet his mind could still not conjure up some of the scenarios Trump has achieved. The idea that the President and his press secretary would ban some reporters is being seen through some eyes as resonating with how Hitler treated the media. In my book that is nonsense. However, it is clear that Trump has completely lost the plot.

Press secretary Sean Spicer said of the incoming Trump administration: “We have a respect for the press when it comes to the government, that that is something you can’t ban an entity from. That is what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship.”

Like two little boys in the playground at the beginning of their first year in school, Donald and Spicer have decided to openly make fun of and now bar many of these professionals.

As CJ Cregg in the West Wing, Allison Janney did on occasions make fun of and even discipline one or two members of the press corps, but she did it with mostly good humour.

After all, the reason that presidents and their press secretaries have daily news conferences is so they can dominate the news cycle. I am certain that Allison Janney would not be willing to offer advice to Trump. But right now he really needs a Claudia Jean Cregg to help dig himself out of this mess.

Ian Chisnall is a blogger.

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