President Donald Trump has, if possible, ratcheted up his media attacks, making it crystal clear Wednesday (Oct. 18) that he believes the mainstream media are indeed enemies of the people, bent on destroying him and willing to stop at nothing.
Trump once again circulated via email a new "Mainstream Media Accountability Survey," one of several the Trump-Pence campaign fundraising committee has conducted in concert with the Republican National Committee since Trump became president in January. The "surveys" began during his run for office.
"I’ve said it before and I will say it again: The mainstream media is out to bring down my administration," Trump said in the e-mail. "It’s a 24/7 barrage of hit jobs, fake stories and absolute hatred for everything we stand for as a movement.
"They don’t care about the truth," Trump continued. "They don’t care about what’s right. They only care about propping up the liberal Democrats they worship and destroying anyone who wants to put America First. There is nothing they won’t do to stop us."
Poll: Republicans Back Power to Pull News Media ‘Licenses’
The new survey focuses on four specific news outlets -- CNN, NBC, MSNBC and Fox News Channel -- asking whether any can be trusted to report fairly on his presidency. Trump has been highly critical of CNN and NBC News, and generally positive toward FNC.
Trump last week reacted to an NBC News story suggesting he wanted to boost the U.S. nuclear arsenal by calling it “fake news,” and “pure fiction.” He also called for broadcast licenses to be challenged and if need be revoked.
FCC chair Ajit Pai said this week that the commission can’t revoke licenses over the content of newscasts and he would continue to defend the First Amendment.
