Trump Calls NY Times "True Enemy Of The People"

Donald Trump

Donald Trump began his day attacking The New York Times, no doubt because of their extensive report yesterday regarding Trump reportedly asking then-acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker last year to shift Trump ally U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman to be in charge of the Michael Cohen investigation in New York’s Southern District.

According to the Times, Trump soured on Whitaker when he didn't do as asked.

The New York Times reporting is false. They are a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2019

Think about this: The "President" of the US is literally calling the NY Times the "true enemy" of America. Yet Trump has NEVER slammed Vladimir Putin like this on Twitter. Why... https://t.co/x3EAq0Fm10

— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) February 20, 2019

No A president of the United States who calls the free press the enemy of the people is the true enemy pic.twitter.com/RF9HjoNSC6

— Tim (@guit805) February 17, 2019

The publisher of the Times, A. G. Sulzberger, clapped back at Trump via an op-ed today which read, in part:

In demonizing the free press as the enemy, simply for performing its role of asking difficult questions and bringing uncomfortable information to light, President Trump is retreating from a distinctly American principle. It’s a principle that previous occupants of the Oval Office fiercely defended regardless of their politics, party affiliation, or complaints about how they were covered.

The phrase “enemy of the people” is not just false, it’s dangerous. It has an ugly history of being wielded by dictators and tyrants who sought to control public information. And it is particularly reckless coming from someone whose office gives him broad powers to fight or imprison the nation’s enemies. As I have repeatedly told President Trump face to face, there are mounting signs that this incendiary rhetoric is encouraging threats and violence against journalists at home and abroad.

Through 33 presidential administrations, across 167 years, The New York Times has worked to serve the public by fulfilling the fundamental role of the free press. To help people, regardless of their backgrounds or politics, understand their country and the world. To report independently, fairly and accurately. To ask hard questions. To pursue the truth wherever it leads. That will not change.