President Donald Trump had harsh words in response to a statement from CNN’s Jeff Zucker, essentially blaming the President’s “rhetoric” for fanning the flames of political violence and inspiring whomever sent a series of suspicious devices to prominent Democrats.
Trump took to Twitter to blame the media — not the White House — for stoking political acrimony. “
“A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News,” Trump tweeted. “It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description.”
“Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” he added.
A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018
The president also refused to accept CNN’s plea that he apologize for using dangerous “rhetoric” in his public speeches. Trump earlier denounced the attacks as “despicable acts” of “political violence,” according to the New York Post.
On Wednesday night, though, CNN president Jeff Zucker lashed out at Trump directly in a statement, blaming the White House for what Zucker claims is a direct attack on the media.
“There is a total and complete lack of understanding at the White House about the seriousness of their continued attacks on the media,” Zucker said.
“The president, and especially the White House Press Secretary, should understand their words matter. Thus far, they have shown no comprehension of that,” he continued.
Contrary to Zucker’s implication, it does not appear the media itself was the target of the bomber’s attacks. Although a suspicious package fitting the description of several other suspicious packages containing rudimentary explosive devices was discovered in CNN’s mailroom, it appears the sender intended the package to reach former CIA chief John Brennan, care of the network.
The bomber got Brennan’s information wrong. He is an analyst for MSNBC.
Brennan himself also lashed out at the president on social media, cautioning Trump to “stop blaming others” and “look in the mirror.”
Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act….try to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence. https://t.co/cS5qNiuU7o
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) October 25, 2018
The White House refused to bend to either Zucker or Brennan. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Thursday morning that the president has “condemned violence in all forms, has done that since Day 1.”