Dan Rather, at Wright State, calls out Trump on ‘alt’ facts

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Dan Rather, visiting Wright State University today, criticized the concept of “alternative facts” pushed by President Donald Trump’s administration.

“This is not a political statement, it’s not an ideological statement, it’s a statement of common sense that facts are facts,” Rather said during a visit with the media at the Nutter Center. “Two plus two equals four. Two plus two equals five is not an alternate fact…water does not run up hill… if you’re dead you’re dead, that’s a fact.”

Rather is speaking at a free event at the Nutter Center at 7 p.m. today. Rather said he plans to talk about the forces that brought Trump to power and the challenges the country faces with Trump as president.

Rather said Trump is completely unlike any president he covered as a reporter.

“We’ve never had a president who had zero, no experience in public service,” Rather said.

Rather said that Americans are living in a “post-truth era.” He said it is a difficult time for journalism and a hard time for people who consume journalism and don’t know where to turn for unbiased reporting anymore.

Rather said that journalists should not listen to people, such as Trump adviser Stephen Bannon, who tell the media to “shut up.”

“Just stay steady,” Rather said. “As journalists, we have a heavy responsibility.”

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