Since the early days of his campaign, Donald Trump has made it clear that he is a routine viewer of cable news. With CNN becoming Trump's top target, the network's president decided to speak out.
CNN on Trump
When Donald Trump first announced his plans to run for president, the media gathered inside Trump Tower in New York City. During his speech, Trump referred to illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers," which instantly triggering negative press from the media. From that point forward, the former host of "The Apprentice" and the press would not see eye to eye, causing their relationship to quickly turn sour.
In recent weeks, Trump has increased his attacks on the media, which reached a fever pitch last week when the billionaire real estate mogul banned CNN and other news outlets from covering the press briefing at the White House. As reported by The Hill on March 3, the president of CNN has a few choice words for the leader of the free world.
CNN president: Trump "spends his days and nights watching CNN" https://t.co/QgqqP6eIxJ pic.twitter.com/jcFGWSXQGM
— The Hill (@thehill) March 3, 2017
During an interview with NPR on Thursday, CNN President Jeff Zucker didn't hold back his thoughts on Donald Trump, taking the commander in chief to task for his non-stop attacks on the press. "A lot of this is red meat for his base," Zucker told NPR.
"He claims that CNN is unwatchable, but the only way he knows that is because he's watching it obsessively," Zucker continued, before claiming Trump "spends his days and nights watching CNN."
How long has it been since Donald Trump attacked someone on Twitter? https://t.co/JlBPkp4s1h pic.twitter.com/cJ0MDOMWqd
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 1, 2017
Before Donald Trump's late-night social media attack in defense of Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday, CNN ran a clock that counted down how long the president had gone without insulting anyone on Twitter.
CNN's response comes as other media outlets, like the New York Times and the Washington Post, have taken a more aggressive stance in covering the White House.
In the age of President Trump, CNN president Jeff Zucker is rushing to the barricades https://t.co/JyvmRCLCGE pic.twitter.com/7jFb2sxz1a
— NPR (@NPR) March 2, 2017
Moving forward
As the war of words between Donald Trump and the news media continuities, it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Trump has routinely labeled any reporting that paints his administration in a negative light as "fake news," but it doesn't look like the press will be backing down.
