A White House press conference went off the rails Friday as President Donald Trump was asked about a New York Times report — and he descended into a furious rant.
Trump was asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy about the Times’ story, published late Thursday, that claimed Musk — an unelected immigrant — was to be briefed on top secret plans involving a potential war with China.
The report triggered fury among many who argued Musk has no position — or authority — that merited him getting such a briefing.
Trump then descended into a meltdown about the media.
“If you read what's out of the New York Times, it's such a dishonest newspaper. It's such garbage. It's, you know, it used to be called all the news that's fit to print. Well, it's all the news that's not fit to print. They have fake sources or they don't have sources. I think they make most of it up.
“This was a made-up story by the New York Times. I call it the failing. It's a failing newspaper. It's failing. and they shouldn't do that. They really are the enemy of the people.”
Then he expanded his attack.
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“We do need honest journalism. and this, you know, we've made such big strides over the last two months, but we just need honest journalism and we don't have it. When you have a CNN, I watch, you have to watch these people every once in a while just to see where they're coming from. And it's so dishonest. MSNBC is, I think, probably worse, and they're both doing horribly in the ratings. I think they're going to be turned off. I don't think they're not doing any ratings."
The attack was broadcast live on CNN.
“You're doing well on the ratings,” he told Doocy.
‘Thank you. I'll pass that along,” the Fox reporter replied.
Earlier Friday, Trump directly attacked New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, calling her “Maggot” and referring to her on Truth Social as, “The really dumb 'scammer' who constantly writes about me for the Times, using anonymous, made up (nonexistent!) sources.