Trump pushes back on report of China, Russia listening in on phone calls: ‘Story is soooo wrong!’

President Trump on Thursday criticized a New York Times report that Russia and China are eavesdropping on his personal phone, saying that the “story is soooo wrong!”

{mosads}The Times reported on Wednesday that U.S. spy agencies have determined that the two countries are listening in on the president’s personal calls in an attempt to gain information they can use to influence American policy.

In a tweet, Trump called the report “incorrect” and claimed that he did not have time to correct it. He then contended that he only uses “Government Phones, and have only one seldom used government cell phone.”

The so-called experts on Trump over at the New York Times wrote a long and boring article on my cellphone usage that is so incorrect I do not have time here to correct it. I only use Government Phones, and have only one seldom used government cell phone. Story is soooo wrong!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018 

Trump in a subsequent tweet called the report “more made up Fake News.”

The New York Times has a new Fake Story that now the Russians and Chinese (glad they finally added China) are listening to all of my calls on cellphones. Except that I rarely use a cellphone, & when I do it’s government authorized. I like Hard Lines. Just more made up Fake News!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018

The Times quickly defended its coverage in a tweet of its own:

The New York Times is confident in the accuracy of our reporting. You can read our story here: https://t.co/7sEgsA0Pfh pic.twitter.com/EI9NCcMnZo

— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) October 25, 2018

The paper reported that aides have asked Trump to stop using three personal iPhones that are not secure, but that he has reportedly refused to give them up.

Trump aides also told the Times that they hope he does not share confidential information during phone calls with friends, but that there is no way of knowing for sure.

Two of the phones have been made more secure by the National Security Agency, but the third is like any other iPhone, according to the Times. None of the three are fully secure.

China has reportedly been keeping track of the people who Trump speaks to the most, compiling them into a list of figures to target with pro-Chinese messaging. While Russia’s efforts are reportedly less coordinated, they are listening in to conversations in order to seek insight into the U.S. president’s thinking.

A representative from the White House did not respond to The Hill’s request for comment. 

—Jordan Fabian contributed to this report, which was last updated at 10:48 a.m.