Trump: I use social media to ‘fight’ back against media

President Trump on Saturday cast his use of Twitter as a necessity to fight back against “dishonest and unfair” news coverage.

“I use Social Media not because I like to, but because it is the only way to fight a VERY dishonest and unfair ‘press,’ now often referred to as Fake News Media,” he tweeted. “Phony and non-existent ‘sources’ are being used more often than ever. Many stories & reports a pure fiction!”

I use Social Media not because I like to, but because it is the only way to fight a VERY dishonest and unfair “press,” now often referred to as Fake News Media. Phony and non-existent “sources” are being used more often than ever. Many stories & reports a pure fiction!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 30, 2017

Trump has routinely clashed with the media since the early days of his presidential campaign, and has often reignited feuds with news outlets that cover his administration critically. {mosads}

In particular, he’s directed his ire at newspapers such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. He’s also gone after networks, including CNN, which he has derided as dishonest and partisan.

Trump has often attributed his Twitter use to a desire to push back against reporting he deems unfair or “fake news,” and has said that the social media site allows him to communicate directly with supporters.

His latest tweet came after The New York Times published a report detailing how the FBI came to launch a counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election. That report cites a number of current and former U.S. and foreign officials. 

The appropriateness of Trump’s use of Twitter as a platform for communicating with the public has been the subject of some debate. A recent poll by The Economist and YouGov found that only 26 percent of Americans believe the president’s use of Twitter is appropriate, while 59 percent disapproved.

— Updated at 5:55 p.m.