washington heat moment unconventional combative news conference thursday president donald trump command facts openly challenge reporter ask americans trust issue margin victory u.s. electoral college trump assert early news conference big since fellow republican ronald reagan elect 1980 1984. trump defeat hillary clinton 304-227 tally state-by-state electors represent vote cast election seven electors vote someone else get 306 people come vote like never see way go president say twitter explode fact-checking trump statement although proportionally 306 electoral vote night nov. election two electors defect cast official ballot dec. 19. quick check reporter news conference show president barack obama democrat amass electoral vote 2008 365 2012 332 1988 president george h.w bush republican draw 426 electoral vote observers however expect white house reporter confront trump real time sit east room within minutes reporter peter alexander nbc news stand correct trump note obama bush tally ask whether americans could trust president state facts americans trust accuse information receive fake provide information accurate tv correspondent ask trump seem blame staff give information reply actually see information around trump call another reporter 2016 campaign trail since take office jan. 20 trump make criticize media centerpiece communications strategy trump turn table late news conference complain coverage young administration want see honest press trump say public believe people anymore 'why americans trust trump ask