The claim by the editorial “Trumps attacks on the free press are un-American” (Aug. 5) don’t square with history. 

Thomas Jefferson, touted as a champion of the press, stated while president: “Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.” 

Wilson’s 1917 Committee on Public Information created propaganda for the news media explaining the involvement in the war and to sway neutrality advocates. The CPI established a pro-war newspaper. 

FDR in his 1936 campaign claimed 85 percent of the press was against him. Sound familiar? FDR stated: “Our newspapers cannot be edited in the interests of the general public, from the counting room. And I wish we could have a national symposium on that question, particularly in relation to the freedom of the press. How many bogies are conjured up by invoking that greatly overworked phrase?"

He caused NBC and CBS to limit broadcasts critical of the administration. In 1938, Harlan Miller (Washington Post) wrote Roosevelt only answered questions that enabled him to "utter an oral editorial. He selects only those on which he can ring the bell."

Perhaps The Day should take a long look at history.

Richard Golden

Montville