Trump Renews Attacks on TV Co-Hosts
Earlier criticism of MSNBC's Morning Joe television talk show co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough prompted bipartisan political backlash
President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday night, shortly before speaking at an event in Washington to honor veterans, this his use of social media is “modern day presidential.” Trump was busy on social media much of the day. He accused the media of trying to persuade Republican legislators to keep him from using social media. He then tweeted that his use of social media wasn’t presidential, it was “modern day presidential.” Earlier Saturday, he revisited his spat with the media by unleashing a series of tweets, including one with more personal jabs directed at MSNBC’s Morning Joe television talk show co-hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, and a description that labels them as “not bad people.” Minutes after posting a congratulatory tweet to Canadians and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in commemoration of the country’s 150th anniversary, Trump turned his attention to Brzezinski and Scarborough. A particular tweet Thursday prompted bipartisan political backlash in Washington after the president referred to Brzezinski as “low I.Q. Crazy Mika” and alleged she was “bleeding badly from a face-lift” at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last January. On Thursday, the White House defended the president’s deeply personal social media ridiculing of Brzezinski. “I don’t think it’s a surprise he fights fire with fire,” Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “He’s not going to sit back and be attacked by the liberal media, Hollywood elites and when they hit him. He’s going to hit back.” There was quick and firm criticism by members of Congress of the president’s comments about the television co-host’s appearance. Most notably, senators from the president’s own Republican Party chastised Trump. “This has to stop,” tweeted Senator Susan Collins. “We don’t have to get along, but we must show respect and civility,” she added. Senator Ben Sasse said, “This isn’t normal and it’s beneath the dignity of your office.” Senator Lindsey Graham said, “Mr. President, your tweet was beneath the office and represents what is wrong with American politics, not the greatness of America.” Paul Ryan, leader of the majority Republicans in the House of Representatives, said, “What we’re trying to do around here is improve the tone, the civility of the debate. And this obviously doesn’t help do that.” Last Tuesday, Trump renewed his attacks on the credibility of several major U.S. news organizations after the resignations of three CNN journalists who were involved in a retracted story related to Russia. In a barrage of tweets, Trump accused NBC, CBS, ABC,  and  of disseminating “fake news” after CNN retracted a story connecting Trump associate Anthony Scaramucci and the head of an investment fund managed by a bank controlled by the Russian government. The president’s Saturday postings included yet another attack on CNN, which he accused of being a purveyor of “garbage journalism.” Trump also tweeted the reason television anchor Greta Van Susteren was suddenly dismissed this week from MSNBC was because she refused to disparage the president. Trump’s latest tweets came as he spends the weekend with his family at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.