White House slams media for ‘obsession’ with ‘anonymous coward’

The White House on Thursday slammed The New York Times for creating a “wild obsession with the identity” of an anonymous op-ed author, as speculation swirls about who in the administration might be working internally to “thwart” some of the president’s goals.

The White House press secretary called the Times “complicit” with the “gutless loser” who wrote an op-ed published in the Times claiming to be a senior member of the Trump administration. Sarah Huckabee Sanders also shared a newspaper phone number while urging people to call in and ask who the author really is. 

“The media’s wild obsession with the identity of the anonymous coward is recklessly tarnishing the reputation of thousands of great Americans who proudly serve our country and work for President Trump,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

“Stop. If you want to know who this gutless loser is, call the opinion desk of the failing NYT at 212-556-1234, and ask them,” Sanders continued. “They are the only ones complicit in this deceitful act. We stand united together and fully support our President Donald J. Trump.”

For those of you asking for the identity of the anonymous coward: pic.twitter.com/RpWYPHa6To

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) September 6, 2018

{mosads}The number Sanders shared is a main line for the Times. Callers will receive an automated message directing them to a specific department.

The anonymous official in the op-ed bashed the president’s “amorality” and praised the work of “unsung heroes” who push back against him, suggesting a coordinated effort from within.

Several White House officials have denied that they authored the op-ed, including Homeland Security Secretary Kirsten Nielsen, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Pence, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

Sanders in a statement Wednesday ripped the author, calling him or her a coward and saying he or she should resign. Trump also used the word “gutless” to describe the person and demanded the Times “turn him/her over to government at once!”