Donald Trump

In Edited Video, Trump Pummels Man With Face Covered by CNN Logo

"My use of social media is not Presidential - it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!" Trump tweeted Saturday

President Donald Trump continued his social media attack on news outlets Sunday morning, tweeting a video of him tackling World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon at a match, but in the video a CNN logo is superimposed over McMahon's face. 

"#FraudNewsCNN #FNN," Trump captioned the tweet.

It's not clear who produced the brief video, but it was posted from Trump's official Twitter account and retweeted to his official @POTUS account.

Trump's been stepping up verbal attacks on the media — and cable networks particularly.

CNN responded to the video in a statement, writing: 

"It is a sad day when the President of the United States encourages violence against reporters. Clearly, [White House Spokeswoman] Sarah Huckabee Sanders lied when she said the President had never done so. Instead of preparing for his overseas trip, his first meeting with Vladimir Putin, dealing with North Korea and working on his health care bill, he is involved in juvenile behavior far below the dignity of his office. We will keep doing our jobs. He should start doing his."

On Thursday, Huckabee Sanders said: "The president in no way, form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence of anything — if anything quite the contrary."

Trump has been accused of inciting violence during his presidential campaign. Three protesters at a March 1, 2016, rally in Louisville, Kentucky, allege in a lawsuit that they were punched by Trump supporters in the audience at the candidate's command. Video from the event shows Trump pointing at the protesters and saying "get them out." Trump and his lawyers have said he does not incite or condone violence.

A Trump adviser said on ABC's "This Week" that he does not believe the Tweet incites violence against the media. 

"No, I certainly don't. I don't think so. And I think that importantly here, he's a genuine president expressing himself genuinely. And to be honest, I think that's why he was elected," Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert said.

On Saturday, Trump claimed on Twitter that his use of social media is "modern day presidential."

The "fake and fraudulent news media is working hard to convince Republicans and others I should not use social media," Trump wrote, adding: "But remember, I won the 2016 election with interviews, speeches and social media."

"My use of social media is not Presidential - it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!" he added.

In a series of tweets posted within about half an hour of one another earlier Saturday morning, Trump also continued his attack on cable television stations, labeling CNN "fake news" and saying NBC News executives push "Trump Hate!"

"I am extremely pleased to see that @CNN has finally been exposed as #FakeNews and garbage journalism. It's about time!" he tweeted. 

Trump has repeatedly attacked the cable network since before he was elected, often calling it "fake news."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us