Trump introduces ‘artificial media’ as new label for outlets he previously called ‘fake news’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Tuesday, October 6, introduced a new term for media outlets he has previously described as “fake news,” saying he will now call them “artificial news” or “artificial media.”

Trump made the remarks during a rally at the Sparrows Point shipyard while discussing what he described as his administration’s success in bringing in “21 trillion dollars” in investment.

The president linked the new media label to the change in terminology for AI, saying, “Artificial means fake,” and that he therefore calls them “artificial media.”

Trump introduces ‘artificial news’ media label

Trump explained that he had previously used the phrase “fake news” but wanted to use what he described as a more “respectful term” while serving as president.

He said he had taken the word “artificial” from “artificial intelligence” and applied it to the media.

“I used to call them the fake news, but as president I have to be a little more respectful of the media than that, so now I call them the artificial news,” Trump said. He then explained his reasoning, saying, “I took artificial off the word intelligence, and I call it super intelligence.”

Trump's new characterisation of the media comes after he also issued an executive order changing the terminology for AI, directing federal agencies to use “super intelligence” rather than “artificial intelligence” in most circumstances.

The Justice Department subsequently instructed employees to use “super intelligence” and “SI” in public communications, policy documents and other official records to the maximum extent permitted by law. Trump has argued that “super intelligence” better reflects the capabilities of the technology.

Trump clashes with CNN over polling questions

Earlier this week, Trump again clashed with CNN when senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes asked him about his standing among Latino voters ahead of next month’s midterm elections.

The question followed an NBC News/Telemundo poll showing that 27% of registered Latino voters approved of Trump’s performance. Trump firmly rejected the premise of the question and defended his standing before directing criticism at Holmes and CNN.

After telling Holmes, “You’re CNN, you’re fake news,” Trump dismissed the polling and continued attacking the network. He later said, “CNN poll numbers are fake,” before adding, “And your whole outfit is fake, and so are you.”

The exchange was the latest confrontation between Trump and CNN, after the president has repeatedly criticised the network and temporarily barred it from the White House last month.

Trump has also previously targeted Holmes directly. In August, he called her “very disrespectful” and a “loud, boisterous person” after she questioned him about North Korea and US military exercises with South Korea.