If I were to steelman Trump. I'd say that he's playing pretty much the only cards he's got: showing the GOP that he controls their base and that he therefore has them by the short&curlies. It would be logical for GOP leaders to use Trump's lack of experience and self-control to deflect all criticism to him, but that would be mutually assured destruction.
Of course, Trump can't win the fight against the media: every time he mentions a TV show or host, all his satellites and all media outlets have to report on them, giving them free publicity. All the Talking Heads spared from Trump's wrath so far will double their efforts to draw his ire in the hope of a dis-honorable mention in his Tweets - attempts at intimidation is what they want, not fear from the President.
But what else can Trump do?
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