One of Fox News's top political reporters said Thursday that President Donald Trump had made him an "enemy of the state" with his recent attack on the media's coverage of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Fox News chief White House correspondent John Roberts seemed to chide the president over his early morning tweet calling the summit a "great success, except with the real enemy of the people, the Fake News Media."
"President Trump doubles down on his 'fake news media - enemy of the people' mantra for reporting that his meeting with Putin was widely panned by members of his own party. That makes me an enemy of the state," Roberts tweeted in response to Trump.
President Trump doubles down on his “fake news media - enemy of the people” mantra for reporting that his meeting with Putin was widely panned by members of his own party. That makes me an enemy of the state. https://t.co/TrsfmVKJYj
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) July 19, 2018
Roberts' words of solidarity with fellow reporters followed some criticism he received while covering Trump's visit to the U.K. last week. During a press conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump skipped over CNN's Jim Acosta and turned to Roberts, saying he would take a question from a "real network," and Roberts asked his question.
A minor outcry ensued when Roberts moved along with the conference, but he quickly defended the rival networks and reporters.
"I know Kristin Welker of NBC. She is honest as the day is long. For the President to call her dishonest is unfair," Roberts told The Wrap. "I also used to work at CNN. There are some fine journalists who work there and risk their lives to report on stories around the world. To issue a blanket condemnation of the network as 'fake news' is also unfair."
The apparent rebuke from Roberts, who provides coverage for a network Trump has often praised and championed, comes amid the president's struggle to explain his position on Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.
Trump actually thanked morning show Fox & Friends on Thursday for showing clips he posted to Twitter showing the times he has admitted Russia interfered.
"'Trump recognized Russian Meddling MANY TIMES.' Thank you to @foxandfriends and @FoxNews for actually showing the clips. The Fake News wants no part of that narrative! Too bad they don't want to focus on all of the ECONOMIC and JOBS records being set," the president tweeted.
“Trump recognized Russian Meddling MANY TIMES.” Thank you to @foxandfriends and @FoxNews for actually showing the clips. The Fake News wants no part of that narrative! Too bad they don’t want to focus on all of the ECONOMIC and JOBS records being set.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2018
Trump, with Putin standing beside him, said Monday he believed the Russian leader's denials of interfering in the 2016 election despite the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies. A day later, Trump attempted to clarify his statements but on Wednesday then appeared to answer "no" when asked if Russia was still trying to meddle.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later said Trump was saying "no" to taking more questions from reporters gathered at his Cabinet meeting.
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