Real news, fake news, no news?

During Trump's term in office, it seemed that reporters in the U.S. would never challenge his lies. It was all allowed to stand, reported in print and video without contradictions, no matter what his fictions were. No one called him on anything. They didn't challenge him to tell the truth. Now there is more fact-checking. Too little, too late? He has repeated the same lies for years, knowing that a lot of people will believe anything they repeatedly hear.

When someone tries to challenge a statement in a press conference, usually Trump will clam up, giving no answer, and then often stalk off, abruptly ending the session. Other times he may insult a reporter while refusing to answer a question. He slings dirt at anyone who doesn't admire him. Many reporters get cut off short, and never get their questions out at all.

Can you understand these idioms in context? Your questions are welcome.