Huffington Post to cover Trump as entertainment news, not politics

The Huffington Post announced Friday that it would begin covering businessman Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign as entertainment news instead of in its political section.

{mosads}”Our reason is simple: Trump’s campaign is a sideshow,” the Huffington Post’s Washington bureau chief Ryan Grim and editorial director Danny Shea wrote in a note on their website.

“We won’t take the bait. If you are interested in what The Donald has to say, you’ll find it next to our stories on the Kardashians and The Bachelorette,” they added. 

The media outlet’s decision sparked criticism from some on Twitter.

Why Huffington Post wrong to consign Trump coverage to entertainment. Call balls/strikes but don’t pick the players. http://t.co/LGvID5XXa4

— Jim Warren (@JimWarren55) July 17, 2015

Others reacted to the news with humor. 

Wake me when they put New England Patriots in Crime and nip slip galleries in Business? #tinytroll https://t.co/y9xwi2k268

— michaelscherer (@michaelscherer) July 17, 2015

Trump has skyrocketed in the polls since announcing his Republican presidential bid in mid-June, with the latest Fox News poll out Thursday night showing him topping the GOP field.

The celebrity real estate mogul has been a magnet for attention — and controversy —dominating headlines in recent weeks following his comments about immigration from Mexico and his public fights with GOP heavyweights.

Most of his Republican rivals have denounced or distanced themselves from his comments on criminals and “rapists” immigrating from Mexico that saw fizzled business ties.

Others, such as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have stood by the reality TV star, saying he is right to bring attention to the debate over immigration.

GOP strategists have voiced frustration with Trump’s bid, worrying that he is stealing attention away from other candidates in the party’s deepest bench in recent memory.