• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, March 13, 2017

Nearly two months in office, we need to ask better questions of President Donald Trump’s relationship with the media -- on a more personal level.

For example: What kind of actual consumer of media is he? And what value is he getting from his time and effort?

Pretty good, it seems. While many say he hate the media -- especially “fake news” -- Trump continues to consume it. He's an avid reader of print publications -- The New York Times, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and, yes, the — his longtime favorite.

And then there is the “unfair” TV networks. He watches a lot, including his favorite show: Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.” Interestingly, despite deriding CNN, he continues to watch that network, as well. Less so with MSNBC. He had been a semi-regular watcher of “Morning Joe.”

If you are a cable TV news advertiser, this is the type of media consumer you want. Per an AP report, he will immediately tweet something he has seen on air -- albeit mostly from “Fox & Friends.” 

Thus, we have high-valued “engaged” TV viewer. Who doesn’t want that?

We are told Trump might have some disposable income to buy stuff -- being a “billionaire” and all.  Also, being 70, he is naturally a perfect consumer for key pharmaceutical products that can dominate advertising on cable news networks.

What about all that stuff about media being the evil of the world? Well, as Trump well knows, from his own his history, there is no bad publicity. Everyone benefits.

Cable TV network ratings continue to rival the high levels of the election. Plus, there has been higher advertising revenue for all TV news networks.

Now, since Trump hasn’t totally removed himself from his businesses, TV Watch believes he needs to continue to push his strong business attitudes and action. Isn’t that what he promised for himself -- and voters?

As he has done before, Trump should demand revenue from cable TV networks. Yeah, that’s right.

If he is providing those viewing spikes, he should get paid. On-air performers -- unscripted, scripted, and otherwise -- always get paid -- somewhere. He needs to call his agent.

Outlandish claim? Well, you know this is a different kind of president.

Remember, Trump asked CNN during the Republican Presidential debates to give him some payment, CNN’s ability to sell more ad revenue coming from the debates ratings. He said he would donate those revenues to his favorite charity. CNN didn’t obliged; nor should they.

No matter. We need more tweets. Hey, if you are going to blow up the system, really blow it up. And then see where the pieces fall.

After all, he is just a media consumer looking to maximize the value of his time and effort. He has rights. Any contestant or someone running the boardroom on “The Apprentice” will tell you that.