President Trump widened his scope of attack on the media by declaring Tuesday the mainstream media was the enemy of the people.
When launching such attacks, Trump has generally referred to what he considers “fake news” to be the "enemy of the people.” But days after Attorney General William Barr said special counsel Robert Mueller found the Trump campaign did not collude with the Russians to win the 2016 election, Trump directed his ire to the mainstream media for its coverage of the nearly two-year inquiry.
“The Mainstream Media is under fire and being scorned all over the World as being corrupt and FAKE. For two years they pushed the Russian Collusion Delusion when they always knew there was No Collusion. They truly are the Enemy of the People and the Real Opposition Party!” he wrote.
[Opinion: Liberal Media Scream: They'll never be satisfied with the Mueller verdict]
The Mainstream Media is under fire and being scorned all over the World as being corrupt and FAKE. For two years they pushed the Russian Collusion Delusion when they always knew there was No Collusion. They truly are the Enemy of the People and the Real Opposition Party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 26, 2019
It’s not unique for the president to vent his frustrations over the coverage of his presidency, especially of the Russia investigation. He has on occasion referred to specific news outlets, including the New York Times and CNN, as “fake news,” but has on occasion pushed back on reports that said he was casting a net over all media.
They asked my daughter Ivanka whether or not the media is the enemy of the people. She correctly said no. It is the FAKE NEWS, which is a large percentage of the media, that is the enemy of the people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2018
Check out tweets from last two days. I refer to Fake News Media when mentioning Enemy of the People - but dishonest reporters use only the word “Media.” The people of our Great Country are angry and disillusioned at receiving so much Fake News. They get it, and fully understand!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2018
CNN and others in the Fake News Business keep purposely and inaccurately reporting that I said the “Media is the Enemy of the People.” Wrong! I said that the “Fake News (Media) is the Enemy of the People,” a very big difference. When you give out false information - not good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 30, 2018