President Donald Trump has spent Sunday calling for the death penalty for reporters covering his war in Iran in a negative manner.
Trump, 79, posted a nearly 400-word Truth Social rant slamming Iran for “feeding” the “very appreciative Fake News Media” in the U.S. and even resorting to AI to spread “false information.”
The president claimed Iran had circulated “phony ‘Kamikaze Boats’ shooting at various Ships at Sea” and that while they looked “wonderful, powerful, and vicious,” he added that “these Boats don’t exist.”
Repeating his claim that the U.S. had defeated Iran’s military and slamming the Wall Street Journal for “false reporting,” Trump then took his anger to new heights.
The Journal on Saturday covered five U.S. military refueling planes that were hit by Iranian forces at a Saudi airbase, but were not totally destroyed.
Trump suggested the Journal’s story was false, adding that Iran is spreading fake news through AI.
The Daily Beast has contacted the Wall Street Journal for comment.
He then blasted Iran, who, “working in close coordination with the Fake News Media,” spread a fake image of the USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier “burning uncontrollably in the Ocean.” Trump said that it was not burning and also not shot at.
The video was fact-checked by AFP last week, who concluded it was made using AI.
Trump ranted, “The story was knowingly FAKE and, in a certain way, you can say that those Media Outlets that generated it should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information!”
Treason is considered one of the most severe crimes committed against the U.S.
Under U.S. law, anyone owing allegiance to America and levies war against them or aids and comforts their enemies within the United States or elsewhere is guilty of treason and can be subject to the death penalty or imprisoned for a minimum of five years.
In a gaggle on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump lashed reporters over coverage of his war, while also stating he was not ready to declare an end to the conflict.
“They’re decimated, but... I think that we’ve done damage to them right now,” Trump said. “If we left right now, it would take them 10 years and more to rebuild. But I’m still not declaring it over.”
He then blamed the media, saying “the problem is that when you look at fake stories, by you people, written by and generated by AI, it’s incredible.”
CNN’s chief media analyst Brian Stelter said on Sunday night that Trump is “fuming” about the coverage of his war in the American media.
“Quite frankly, Trump does not want this scrutiny,” Stelter said. “He would prefer a propagandistic, pliant press in the United States but he‘s not going to get that, he‘s not getting that.”
Stelter said that while the fake videos are “a real phenomenon,” they had been debunked by several key media players including CNN and the New York Times.
“I’ve got to tell you, I have not seen any U.S. news outlets that have fallen for those videos,” he said. “To the contrary, real news outlets are debunking those lies, but Trump sounds confused by the chaotic information environment.”
Trump also referenced his Truth Social post during his mid-air gaggle, stating that, “I actually think it’s pretty criminal because our media companies who have no credibility whatsoever are putting out information that they know is false. And it’s a very dangerous thing for the country.”
The president also took swings at a reporter from ABC, calling them “one of the most corrupt news organizations on the planet” before refusing to take any more questions from the outlet. When a female reporter asked Trump why the U.S. is sending 5,000 marines and sailors, the president shot back. “You’re a very obnoxious person,” he said, and took a different question from a male reporter.
Trump has form for being rude to female journalists, last year snapping “quiet, piggy!” at one journalist.
As part of his rambling Truth Social rant about the media, Trump also praised his FCC henchman Brendan Carr, who has already been threatening to revoke broadcasting licenses of networks he feels are not covering the Iran war in a way that meets “public interest.”
“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions - also known as the fake news - have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up,” Carr threatened.
“The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not. Time for change!”
In his Sunday post, Trump said he was “thrilled” to see Carr’s threats to what he called “Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic ‘News’ Organizations.”
“They get Billions of Dollars of FREE American Airwaves, and use it to perpetuate LIES, both in News and almost all of their Shows, including the Late Night Morons, who get gigantic Salaries for horrible Ratings, and never get, as I used to say in The Apprentice, ‘FIRED,’ the president wrote.
