Still steamed at a series of recent stories about his White House from NBC News, President Donald Trump on Wednesday took aim at the TV network, wondering aloud about an investigation of the press, denouncing “Fake News,” and complaining about the media’s work on his administration in general.
“It’s frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write,” the President said during a photo op in the Oval Office, as Mr. Trump said there should be questions asked of the news media – “and people should look into it.”
“The press should speak more honestly,” the President added. “I’ve seen tremendously dishonest press – it’s not even a question of distortion.”
President Trump: "It's frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write, and people should look into it." pic.twitter.com/gT9FhI94tJ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 11, 2017
Earlier in the day, the President issued a tweet, but also threatened the possibility of retaliation against NBC, asking “at what point is it appropriate to challenge their License?”
But as experts correctly pointed out, the NBC network does not need a license to operate – though, any TV stations owned directly by the network would need government licensing approval.
That tweet earned a swift rebuke from one media advocate, the National Association of Broadcasters, who invoked the First Amendment.
“It is contrary to this fundamental right for any government official to threaten the revocation of an FCC license simply because of a disagreement with the reporting of a journalist,” said NAB President Gordon Smith, a former Republican U.S. Senator.
In recent days, Mr. Trump has issued a string of negative tweets at the news media, clearly angered by details about him in a series of stories.
With all of the Fake News coming out of NBC and the Networks, at what point is it appropriate to challenge their License? Bad for country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
Fake @NBCNews made up a story that I wanted a "tenfold" increase in our U.S. nuclear arsenal. Pure fiction, made up to demean. NBC = CNN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
It would be really nice if the Fake News Media would report the virtually unprecedented Stock Market growth since the election.Need tax cuts
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
The Fake News is at it again, this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know, General John Kelly, by saying he will soon be.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
...fired. This story is totally made up by the dishonest media.The Chief is doing a FANTASTIC job for me and, more importantly, for the USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
.@NBCNews is so knowingly inaccurate with their reporting. The good news is that the PEOPLE get it, which is really all that matters! Not #1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2017
Late Night host are dealing with the Democrats for their very "unfunny" & repetitive material, always anti-Trump! Should we get Equal Time?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2017
While Democrats criticized the President’s comments, even some Republicans joined in to question him – this from Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE):
Mr. President:
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) October 12, 2017
Are you recanting of the Oath you took on Jan. 20 to preserve, protect, and defend the 1st Amendment? pic.twitter.com/XLB7QXM3bQ
WFTV