President Trump Discusses Claims of ‘Fake News,’ and the Impact, With New York Times Publisher

President Donald Trump takes credit for popularizing the term “fake news.” But the consequences? Not his concern. In lengthy and at times contradictory remarks about the news media — which he deemed “important” and “beautiful,” but also “so bad” and “unfair” — President Trump called himself “a victim” of unfair coverage and declined to accept responsibility for a rise in threats against journalists since he took office. “I do notice that people are declaring more and more fake news, where they go, ‘Fake news!’” the President said. “I even see it in other countries. I don’t necessarily attribute that to me. I think I can attribute the term to me. I think I was the one that started using it, I would say.” When it was brought up that foreign leaders were increasingly using the term “fake news” to justify suppressing independent scrutiny, President Trump replied: “I don’t like that. I mean I don’t like that.” But, in a common pattern whenever the President speaks about the press, President Trump quickly refocused on his personal grievances. “I do think it’s very bad for a country when the news is not accurately portrayed,” he said. “I really do. And I do believe I’m a victim of that, honestly.”