Trump Flips the Script on Reporter Accusing Him of Encouraging Political Violence
President Donald Trump unequivocally shot down a reporter who accused him of inciting political violence on Friday.
Trump was leaving the White House when a reporter yelled at him, “You’re encouraging politically motivated violence with the way you speak.”
Trump coolly told the reporter, “You’re creating violence by your question.”
When the reporter echoed, “Me?” Trump pointed at her and repeated, “You are creating — you.”
The president continued by saying it is “fake news” that encourages violence.
“A lot of the reporters are creating violence by not writing the truth,” Trump told the reporter. “The fake news is creating violence.”
“If the media would write correctly and write accurately and write fairly, you’d have a lot less violence in the country,” he added.
Despite Democrats often pointing to Trump as someone who encourages violence, the president has been staunchly outspoken in his condemnation of violence. He has said that “peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy” and he is quick to denounce all violence, often calling for prayers and unity.
Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
However, Trump has also been outspoken about the “fake news media” encouraging violence. He posted on Twitter earlier this week to speak out against inaccurate and fraudulent news reporting.
“There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news,” he wrote on Monday.
“The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open & obvious hostility & report the news accurately & fairly. That will do much to put out the flame…”
There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news. The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open & obvious hostility & report the news accurately & fairly. That will do much to put out the flame…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2018
According to Trump, however, people are becoming “disillusioned” with fake news.
“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,’ he wrote on Monday.
“The people of our Great Country are angry and disillusioned at receiving so much Fake News. They get it, and fully understand!”
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