Have you noticed the news saying "Mr." trump?

[Equinox Moon]

I don't recall them ever doing that with Prez. O.

They always said "Obama", never Mr. Obama.

trump is getting to them.

[Longtime lurker 99]

1. Yep, I noticed

[jberryhill]

2. That's been the standard form of address for US presidents since Washington

And, no, it is not different or new.

http://www.npr.org/sections/ombudsman/2011/10/12/141293477/why-do-you-call-him-mr-obama

A number of listeners have written in recent weeks complaining that NPR reporters refer to President Obama as "Mr. Obama." Since the mid-1970s it has been NPR's policy to refer to the president as "Mr." instead of "President" on second reference. Below is an explanatory column slightly updated from 2009. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section.

In fact, DU'ers frequently complained about the news media using "Mr. Obama", so your recollection is defective. Perhaps these DU threads will refresh your memory:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021421170

Scott Pelley repeatedly refers to President Obama as 'Mr. Obama'

Yet refers to Romney as Governor Romney. It is a subtle, yet clear bias, not just a once in awhile oversight. On tonight's broadcast I counted him calling the POTUS 'Mr. Obama' at least 6 times. So damn disrespectful!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021414477


CBS calls him "Mr. Obama". Twice. Why?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023771447

Hey Kudlow! It's PRESIDENT Obama, not Mr. Obama, you dickhead!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8144531

What's with the "Mister Obama" on the news?

Earlier, I read a posting about Blitzer referring to the president simply as Barack Obama.

Now, on our local ABC station, the anchor called him Mr. Obama.

Am I off base at bristling over this? I sent our local person an email asking that she be more respectful and refer to him as President Obama.

Perhaps you might consider reading a forum which regularly discusses this form of address like, say, DU.

[pinboy3niner]

3. Exactly

I began studying journalism in the early '60s and it has always been thus.

[Equinox Moon]

4. I was contrasting "Mr." not "President"

Yet, very interesting information you are providing.

[pinboy3niner]

6. After first full reference, either Mr. or surname only is permissible. nt

[Equinox Moon]

8. Oh, that's intersting to know.

Thanks.

[jberryhill]

7. The standard form of address for a US president in news copy is "Mr." (Ms. etc.)

George Washington set the standard on this by rejecting any form of honorific title suggesting royalty, and emphasizing that the president is a citizen who has been elected to the office.

After every change of office, someone on DU finds it strange, even though there is utterly nothing unusual or noteworthy about it.

[Afromania]

5. It feels different

I dunna know but Obama to me is familiar and rockstar like. When Mr. is applied to Trump it feels stuffy and more like they are saying "that guy" Trump said xxyy stupid thing today. By Contrast when they added the Mr. to Obama it felt like a way of delegitimize his position as president

[groundloop]

9. I've always used terms quite different than "Mister" to go along with "tRump"

And NEVER "President"..... not even in the same sentence.

[blogslut]

10. Yes, they do it with all presidents.

The first time the executive is referenced, it is as "President". Thereafter it is proper style to refer to him (her!) as Mr. (Mrs./Ms.).