Trump skipping correspondents' dinner a first in 36 years

Donald Trump has ratcheted up his feud with the US media by announcing he will skip the annual White House correspondents' dinner, the first US president to do so in 36 years.

By boycotting the event, Trump breaks a tradition that began in 1921 in which journalists invite the US president for a light-hearted roast.

"I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" Trump wrote Saturday on Twitter.

The last time a president missed the event was in 1981, when Ronald Reagan was recovering after being shot in an assassination attempt. Reagan however phoned in with friendly remarks.

Richard Nixon, who despised the media, skipped the event in 1972.

Trump frequently blasted the mainstream US press during the election campaign, and as president has intensified his media-bashing.

He ripped the New York Times on Sunday for a television ad that the newspaper will air during the Oscars ceremony stating "The truth is more important now than ever".

"For first time the failing @nytimes will take an ad (a bad one) to help save its failing reputation. Try reporting accurately & fairly!" Trump tweeted.

Twitter Post

Trump's cancelation comes after the White House denied access on Friday to an off-camera briefing to several major US media outlets, including CNN and The New York Times.

Smaller outlets that have provided favorable coverage however were allowed to attend the briefing by spokesperson Sean Spicer.

The White House Correspondents' Association said it was "protesting strongly" against the decision to selectively deny media access.

The New York Times said the decision was "an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals," CNN called it "an unacceptable development," and The Los Angeles Times warned the incident had "ratcheted up the White House's war on the free press" to a new level.

Ari Fleischer, a former George W. Bush spokesperson, said the White House's stance was "unwise and counterproductive," but added that it should be kept in perspective.

"Press secretaries need to meet with the whole press," Fleischer told CNN. "But beyond that, there is nothing unusual about presidents meeting with selected reporters, and White House staffs do it all the time too."