Avoiding potential hostile and negative interviews does not make all others favorable butt lickers by default. Politicians, and business leaders in general, don’t pursue anything that has the ability to slander them. They associate with those of whom they can gain something from.
Even more so for those seeking to attain office than those already in office.
It’s human nature. No different than the teen who avoids parents with hard questions. Or the spouse who avoids hard questioning from their partner. We naturally seek validation. We avoid ridicule and smearing.
This is not a “Trump” issue. There are plenty of politicians who avoid specific reporters even when they are allowed to attend the press conference.