Trump calls CNN and NYT ‘treasonous’, urges Americans to ‘believe the opposite’

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump on Sunday, April 12, intensified his criticism of major legacy media organizations, including The New York Times and CNN, accusing them of publishing false reports and telling Americans to “believe the opposite.”

The remarks came during an exclusive conversation with Fox News, where the President blasted media outlets and accused them of bias.

Trump tears into 'treasonous' legacy media

During the interaction, Trump pushed back against what he described as incorrect reporting about his position on nuclear issues.

Speaking about Iranian officials, he said, “They go to the press, they're very good with public relations, much better with public relations than they are at fighting. They say, ‘President Trump said it’s okay for us to have a nuclear weapon when I never even spoke to them,’” he said.

He added, “That would be the only thing I would never say to them. And they know that.”

Trump then directly targeted specific outlets. “The New York Times, which is a fake paper, it’s just a fake, you just believe the opposite,” he said.

Expanding the criticism further, he continued: “It’s so sad when you look at CNN, The New York Times, ABC fake news, NBC fake news, it’s so sad to see it every day report things that they know are false.” He concluded, saying, “It’s almost treasonous.”

Trump's past confrontations with legacy media

Trump has repeatedly criticized media coverage in the past, often using strong language both in public statements and direct interactions with journalists.

In one instance, while discussing coverage by NBC and ABC News, Trump wrote, “The news outlets had given me negative coverage on 97% of stories. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED.”

He has also engaged in pointed exchanges during press conferences.

In a tense moment with Kaitlan Collins from CNN, Trump said: “You are the worst reporter, you’re a very dishonest organization, and they should be ashamed of you.”

He also added, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a smile on your face.”

CNN later defended Kaitlan in a statement that read, “Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity.

She skillfully brings that reporting to the anchor chair and CNN platforms every day, which audiences around the world know they can trust.”

In a separate interaction with an ABC News journalist, Trump described the reporter as “a loud person” and called the network “one of the worst.”