Trump denies 4- to 8-hour TV habit: ‘I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC’
President Trump lashed out at recent news reports that he watches up to eight hours of television every day — claiming that it’s “another false story.”
On Monday morning, Trump accused the New York Times of lying about his television habits and claimed that he “seldom, if ever” watches CNN or MSNBC.
Another false story, this time in the Failing @nytimes, that I watch 4-8 hours of television a day – Wrong! Also, I seldom, if ever, watch CNN or MSNBC, both of which I consider Fake News. I never watch Don Lemon, who I once called the “dumbest man on television!” Bad Reporting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2017
CNN contributors were discussing the contents of the Times report, which was published on Saturday, just half an hour before Trump’s tweet. This suggests that Trump may have been claiming he does not watch CNN in response to what he just watched on CNN.
The Times reported that Trump starts every day around 5:30 a.m. by watching television in the White House master bedroom. He watches CNN for news, “Morning Joe” on left-leaning MSNBC to get fired up and “Fox & Friends” on Fox News for comfort and ideas, according to the Times. For the evening and night, Trump reportedly tunes in to Fox News’ primetime programs hosted by Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and Jeanine Pirro, and “hate-watches” CNN’s Don Lemon.
When asked about Trump insulting Lemon, a CNN spokesperson told Yahoo News via email, “In a world where bullies torment kids on social media to devastating effect on a regular basis with insults and name calling, it is sad to see our president engaging in the very same behavior himself. Leaders should lead by example.”
Trump’s tweet attacking the Times came as police were responding to an attempted terrorist attack in his hometown, New York City. Authorities said a man set off an “improvised low-tech explosive device” under the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a major transportation hub for the New York metropolitan area. According to New York’s fire department, three people (other than the suspect) were injured but their wounds did not appear to be life-threatening.
This is not the first time Trump claimed that reporting on his television consumption was far off. He claimed in July that he does not have much time to watch TV. But anyone familiar with Trump’s Twitter feed would know that it often seems to be inspired by television coverage. He often disparages critical coverage of his administration and praises reports he likes.
A month ago, during his five-nation tour of Asia, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he does not watch much television because he’s busy reading documents.
“And believe it or not, even when I’m in Washington or New York, I do not watch much television,” Trump said. “I know they like to say that. People that don’t know me, they like to say I watch television — people with fake sources. You know, fake reporters, fake sources.”
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