what he was saying wasn't picked up by the media. it's easier to focus on the tapes instead of the former f.b.i. director was leaking. that was a story the media wasn't interested in. howie: i tried to press his with sean spicer. does the president neutralize some of the media criticism where what he did at the iowa rally. he criticized the phoney nbc network. they said rain may have dampened the turnout in the georgia special election. shannon: those who know the president well and know him for years say he leans into controversy.