WATCH: Peter Baker talks about why it’s important to interview candidates like fmr. Pres. Trump, the current 2024 GOP front-runner. “It cannot be that a person can run for president of the United States ... without ever being challenged by a tough, independent interviewer.”

@peterbakernyt Viewers at home looking for "the tough, independent interviewer" :

@peterbakernyt Cool, where was the tough, independent, interviewer?

@peterbakernyt So far, the only journalist who pushed back in real time during an interview was Jonathan Swan

@peterbakernyt How about a bunch of nodding and no pushback while he spews lie after lie on the national platform you’re giving him?

@peterbakernyt Just admit you screwed up and damaged the credibility of your new host while you were at it.

@peterbakernyt The criticism is for more than 'just sitting down with him'. That lack of reflection proves it's justified. Building up a criminal is serious problem. No one is isolated, or living in a bubble. It's not business as usual.

@peterbakernyt You have the right to interview any criminal out there and we have the right to boycott your show so there's that. Shame on you.

@peterbakernyt Oohhh @peterbakernyt, You might want to walk that back a bit. There is no one, anywhere, that would call Kirsten Welker’s interview “tough & independent.” No one. It was cringeworthy watching her freeze in response to lie after lie after lie. Even Chuck Todd pushed back a little.

@peterbakernyt Only if you’re Jonathan Swan and refuse to accept Trump’s lies