Donald Trump has discovered Twitter videos, and he tweeted one on Sunday morning that combined his hatred of the media and his past involvement with pro wrestling.
#FraudNewsCNN #FNN pic.twitter.com/WYUnHjjUjg
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 2, 2017
That’s part of a video from 2007 when Trump pretended to attack WWE owner Vince McMahon.
Now, Trump using it to show himself pummeling CNN.
As CNN’s Brian Stelter notes, this GIF was first seen on The_Donald subreddit last Wednesday.
As shocking as Trump can be on Twitter—and some Republicans believe he should be even more prolific on the social media outlet—his post on Sunday morning seemed to surprise some long-term political observers who saw it as yet another attack on the media.
“No the president has never encouraged violence against the news media. Why would you say that?" https://t.co/JWL99PwFzi
— David Frum (@davidfrum) July 2, 2017
This is a completely sane tweet from a stable, well-adjusted person. https://t.co/VwWC1Jhmtl
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) July 2, 2017
Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday: "The president in no way, form or fashion has ever promoted or encouraged violence."
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/BobbyBigWheel/status/881505073867751424
Pro wrestling isn't real. Which makes this a perfect metaphor. https://t.co/OxQFKuYXCB
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) July 2, 2017
People forget that John Adams put out a meme showing him performing a Cleveland Steamer on the National Intelligencer.
— L O L G O P (@LOLGOP) July 2, 2017
In a week when Trump was condemned by most political observers for continuously blasting Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski’s looks and intelligence, the president of the United States proved Sunday he can still shock with his Twitter account.
Update 9:34am CT: CNN has sent out a statement in response to Trump’s tweet.
CNN statement responding to the president: "We will keep doing our jobs. He should start doing his." pic.twitter.com/Gn1YRA2DRG
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 2, 2017
Update 12:13pm CT: Asked by This Week’s Martha Raddatz if Trump’s tweet was a threat, Homeland Security Adviser Thomas Bossert said, “It’s certainly not … I think that no one would perceive that as a threat. I hope they don’t. But I do think that he’s beaten up in a way on cable platforms that he has a right to respond to.”
More from Bossert, via the Hill.
“He’s the most genuine person and the people … find him to be someone that they can understand and relate to,” he said.