On Wednesday, NBC News reported that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was preparing to resign following a heated exchange with Donald Trump. As expected, the president wasn't happy with the story.
Trump on NBC
It's no secret that Donald Trump and the mainstream media don't see eye to eye. It all started during Trump's campaign announcement back in June 2015 when he referred illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." The reaction was overwhelmingly negative from the media, which planted the seed the eventually grew into the current bad blood between both sides.
Following his election win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton last November, the former host of "The Apprentice" has only increased his criticism of the press, making sure to label any report he doesn't agree with as "fake news." Following an NBC News report on Wednesday that Rex Tillerson called Trump a "f*cking moron" which needed Vice President Mike Pence to calm the situation down, all parties denied the story. After hitting back against the network following the story's release, Trump doubled down during a pair of tweets on October 5.
Why Isn't the Senate Intel Committee looking into the Fake News Networks in OUR country to see why so much of our news is just made up-FAKE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2017
Taking to his Twitter account on Thursday morning, Donald Trump wasted no time going on the offensive against NBC News over the aforementioned report that detailed a rift between the president and Rex Tillerson.
"Rex Tillerson never threatened to resign. This is Fake News put out by @NBCNews. Low news and reporting standards," Trump tweeted out, before adding, "No verification from me."
Rex Tillerson never threatened to resign. This is Fake News put out by @NBCNews. Low news and reporting standards. No verification from me.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2017
In a follow-up tweet, Donald Trump then called on Congress to act.
"Why Isn't the Senate Intel Committee looking into the Fake News Networks in OUR country to see why so much of our news is just made up-FAKE!" he tweeted.
Twitter reacts
In response to Donald Trump's outrage, his critics made sure to fire back on social media. "Your 7th tweet about FAKE NEWS in 24 hours. You have yet to tell us what FAKE NEWS is or give us an example of what is FAKE about any story.
You are full of 'you know what'!" one tweet read.
With so many challenges to our country at this time, we can not be distracted every time you get humiliated by reports of REAL news.
— (((Howard Forman))) (@thehowie) October 5, 2017
Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s fake.
— Anne Hamilton (@AnneHamilton01) October 5, 2017
"Americas Free Press is what separates us from dictatorships. The fact that you're attacking our press with lies of your own is scary," another tweet read. "Are you TWELVE YEARS OLD?!" an additional tweet wondered.
1000s of people are drying in PR, and he's calling THAT fake news. He's the only fake here.
— Tuck Frump (@TuckFrumpNDAz) October 5, 2017
The only fake news here are the words streaming out of your mouth
— Impeach Donald Trump (@Impeach_D_Trump) October 5, 2017
If the news is FAKE like you claim, why don't you simply sue them for Libel and Defamation? If it was really FAKE, you'd prevail! Problem is it is REAL NEWS and you know you stand no chance in court!
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) October 5, 2017
"3 army green berets died and you are focused on 'fake news,'" one Twitter user wrote in reference to the three soldiers who died this week in Niger, Africa.
"Our government does not serve YOU and your ego. It serves the citizens of this great country!" Howard Forward added.
Moving forward
Despite Donald Trump and the White House denying the contents of the story, NBC News refused to retract their report and are standing by the source. After only nine months in office, the commander in chief's battle with the press is just one of the many obstacles he's had to face, which has led to an approval rating of just 35 percent in the most recent round of polling.
