For all of Trumps faults, he is the first Republican President or Candidate for President I can recall that actually calls out the Media and Dems ontheir BS. For that I will forgive a lot. It’s exactly what drives them so nuts.
Romney might have been President if he had done some of the same. I never liked him, but preferred him over Obama. However he often looked weak and indecisive when it came to the Media going after him. Does he not remember all the false narratives they used on him? Crowley correcting him falsely in the debate come to mind for him...? He still looks weak when he goes after Trump like this.
I sort of remember Reagan occasionally calling out the Media/Dems, but not as forcefully. He had a different gravitas though. And to be honest there are some things I never liked that Reagan did, I don’t hold him on the same pedestal as many. Be that as it may, neither Bush, McCain, or Romney ever really stood up to the Media/Dems.