Trump Blasts “Fraudulent Media” for Trying to Silence Him, “But I Am President and They Are Not”

It was a Tantrump twofer. Twelve hours after the president unloaded on Twitter, again slamming “Morning Joe” hosts “Crazy Joe” Scarborough and “dumb as a rock” Mika – once again provoking a sharp rebuke from both democrats and republicans – then saying he is “extremely pleased to see that @CNN has finally been exposed as #FakeNews and garbage journalism”, Trump lashed out at the “fake media” for the second time on Saturday during an event at the Kennedy Center.

Speaking at the “Celebrate Freedom” concert honoring veterans, Trump used the stage to accuse the media of trying to silence him, and countered that “he is president and they’re not.”

“The fake media is trying to silence us, but we will not let them. The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House. But I’m president, and they’re not.”

.@POTUS: “The fake media tried to stop us from going to the White House but I’m president and they’re not.” pic.twitter.com/QdqF7h7CbU

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 2, 2017

His scathing criticism continued: “the fact is the press destroyed themselves because they went too far. Instead of being subtle and smart, they used a hatchet. And the people saw right it right from the beginning.”

“The dishonest media will never keep us from accomplishing our objectives on behalf of our great American people,” he added in a speech that was reminiscent of his campaign rallies.

Trump’s latest outburst followed growing criticism even among Republicans over his increasingly aggressive Twitter attacks. As we noted earlier on Saturday, Trump’s latest Twitter outburst was “sure to provoke more protests about unpresidential and/or improper language – by both democrats and republicans – from Trump, which in turn demonstrates that the president intends to continue defying the “proper” protocols of appropriate behavior. What his strategy is by doing so, if of course there is one, remains unclear.”

Sure enough, on Saturday Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) characterized Trump’s use of Twitter as “unacceptable.”  “We’ve seen this for quite a while. You know, it’s unfortunate and people are now begging the president not to do this, and you know you got to stop doing it,” Kasich told ABC’s Martha Raddatz. The two were discussing Trump’s recent Tweets about MSNBC host Mika Brzezinksi, whom he called “crazy” and “low I.Q.”

So, to address this issue, Trump – appropriately enough – tweeted on Saturday afternoon that “fraudulent news media” was trying to convince the Republicans that he should stop using Twitter.

….the 2016 election with interviews, speeches and social media. I had to beat #FakeNews, and did. We will continue to WIN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2017

He then again took an aim at CNN by saying that he is “thinking about changing the name #FakeNews CNN to #FraudNewsCNN” after previously accusing CNN of being “garbage journalism.”

I am thinking about changing the name #FakeNews CNN to #FraudNewsCNN!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2017

Finally, Trump explained to those still stunned by his incendiary use of Twitter, that his “use of social media is not Presidential – it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL.”

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

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 1, 2017