Jake Tapper Trolls ‘Dishonest’ White House Charge After Sean Spicer Tweets CNN Positive Poll Numbers
‘Fake News’ Charge Is ‘Dishonest’
Late last week when the White House barred top news media outlets from a press briefing, after President Donald Trump had repeatedly labeled the media “fake news” and “dishonest,” CNN’s Jake Tapper opened his 4 PM show “The Lead” with a short editorial denouncing the act. Tapper’s tone was more moderate and global than many pundits’ but he clearly was displeased.
“A White House that has had some difficulty telling the truth and has had difficulty getting up to speed on the basic competent functioning of government, and a president who seems particularly averse to any criticism – he’s called the press the enemies of the American people – they’re taking the next step in attempting to avoid checks and balances and accountability,” Tapper had said.
Among the outlets barred from the White House was CNN, which Trump himself specifically called out as part of the “fake news” media.
So imagine Tapper’s surprise when White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer Wednesday afternoon tweeted a just-released CNN poll showing some positive numbers for Trump’s speech last night before Congress.
In @cnn poll 78% of @POTUS #JointAddress watchers say positive, 69% say policies will move country in right direction, 69% more optimistic
— Sean Spicer (@PressSec) March 1, 2017
Taking a page from Trump’s book, Tapper turned the tables on Spicer, and labeled the White House’s claims – although, unlike Trump, not the White House itself – “dishonest.”
Well done, sir!
Just a small example of how dishonest the “fake news” charge from the WH is https://t.co/wpQddTarh7
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 1, 2017
Â
Â
Â
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.