Donald Trump has called the press the “enemy of the people.” But declaring war on the media, it seems, doesn’t mean he’s not tuning in. For years, reporters have opened their mail to find print outs of their articles adorned with commentary in thick, black ink and bearing the signature of Donald Trump. Here, a collection of these notes—sometimes praise-filled, sometimes scolding—which the recipient reporters have permitted us to share with you.

Courtesy of Chris Cillizza

Chris Cillizza

In response to an article praising Trump for engaging with the press during the campaign more than any other presidential candidate.

Chris—

Wow—you have come a long way! I am making progress—

Thanks

Donald Trump





Courtesy of Linda Stasi

Linda Stasi

A note to the longtime New York Daily News and New York Post columnist about “The Apprentice.”

Linda—

We have a great cast—I wanted you to be the first —

I adore you

Donald





Courtesy of Juli Weiner

Juli Weiner

In response to a Vanity Fair article that teased Trump for his flirtation with running for president in the 2012 election. The bulk of Trump’s message was addressed to Vanity Fair's editor, Graydon Carter, who Trump has had an ongoing feud with.

Graydon —

I know far more about you than you know about me—you never got the “Trump Thing.” As one of your writers recently said, “Graydon doesn’t like you.”

Best Wishes,

Donald Trump

I’ve never talked about how “Spy” wentbust—it didn’t outlast my countdown.

[Circled author’s name] Bad writer!

[Arrow to photo of self] Bad picture (no surprise)

[Circled the description of Trump as “tiresome”] Tell that to the crowds. See ratings + polls.

[Arrow pointing to words “March 2011 is not really the time for mudslinging”] Thanks for the advice

[Arrow pointing to words “It’s time to hire a better ersatz exploratory committee] Not allowed!

[Circled the suggestion that he is "pretending to be" interested in appealing to a diverse electorate] Oh really!

[Circled the name of journalist Ben Smith] And who is Ben Smith?

[Circled words saying Trump "owns parts of” several real estate projects] And plenty of wholes—





Courtesy of Justin Elliott

Justin Elliott

In a response to a 2011 article by Elliott in Salon, who prophetically suggested that if Trump ran for president, he might manage to avoid disclosing the details of his financial portfolio.

Justin—

I have no problem—I would, in fact, file early—

You will be very surprised—

Best Wishes

Donald Trump





Courtesy of Sahil Kapur

Sahil Kapur

In response to an article by Kapur in Bloomberg, which argued that Trump's status as an outsider who knows how insiders operate could win him the Republican nomination.

Thank you Sahil—

I will make you look very smart—

Best Wishes

Donald Trump





Courtesy of Olivia Nuzzi

Olivia Nuzzi

In response to an article by Nuzzi in the Daily Beast that described Trump as cordial and well-mannered during the New York Republican Party’s annual gala.

Olivia —

Thank you—

So Nice!

Donald Trump





Courtesy of Chris Moody

Chris Moody

In response to an article by Moody in Yahoo, which reported that after Newsmax planned to host a Republican primary debate with Trump as its moderator—but failed to convince candidates to attend—Trump decided to withdraw as the debate’s moderator. The debate was canceled in its entirety soon after.

Chris—

Bad Reporting

Bad Reporter

Donald Trump

No “ why ”!





Courtesy of Adam Wren

Adam Wren

In response to Wren’s article in Politico Magazine, which captured the ongoing enthusiasm of Trump supporters three weeks into his presidency. Dick and Janes Ames, two Trump supporters from Terre Haute, Indiana, were at the center of the piece.

Dick + Jane—

Thank you to all

Best Wishes

Donald Trump





Courtesy of Mark Singer

Mark Singer

Mark Singer of The New Yorker wrote a book titled Character Studies, which included a profile of Trump that Singer had written years earlier. Trump wrote a letter to the New York Times Book Review and, citing his authority as a best-selling author himself, described Singer and the original reviewer of Character Studies as "losers" who "don't have what it takes." He also predicted the book would do badly. But according to Singer, Trump's published letter quickly moved Character Studies up the charts, and to show his "gratitude," Singer sent a letter to Trump with an enclosed check for $37.82. Trump sent it back with his written response, above. Despite the unfriendly reception, says Singer, Trump still cashed the check.

Mark—

You are a

total loser—and

your book (and writings)

sucks!

Best Wishes

Donald

P.S. And I hear it

is selling badly

D