President Donald Trump amped up his attacks on the media Thursday morning, blaming "fake news" for the anger that has been building among the public.
"A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," Trump tweeted. "It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!"
A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting… https://t.co/T6k01IUL62— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1540466298.0
Backlash spread quickly through social media. One prominent voice of opposition, former CIA Director John Brennan, fired back at Trump with some advice: self-respect, man up, and act like a leader.
"Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful," Brennan tweeted to Trump. "Clean up your act....try to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence."
Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical vio… https://t.co/KYLMq2zs8i— John O. Brennan (@John O. Brennan) 1540470753.0
Twitter followers thanked Brennan for pushing back against Trump and joined his criticism of the president.
@JohnBrennan Love you Mr. Brennan. Ty for being outspoken as you are. From a NJ resident.— Dale Horowitz (@Dale Horowitz) 1540474317.0
@JohnBrennan @HamiltonRosalie He shall never change or act Presidential, so don't hold your breath folks.— Helen Maria 🇬🇧🏴🌊🌊🕊️🗽🆘🗽🕊️ (@Helen Maria 🇬🇧🏴🌊🌊🕊️🗽🆘🗽🕊️) 1540473594.0
@JohnBrennan Director Brennan, I am sorry your life was threatened. I am even sorrier that current occupant of the… https://t.co/OtuQ22Vllp— Mimi Franco (@Mimi Franco) 1540477659.0
@JohnBrennan @Jkineman Thank you, sir, for saying what every intelligent, moral American wants said. I think this… https://t.co/W69qnwtAmx— Rebecca Roberts (@Rebecca Roberts) 1540478852.0
@JohnBrennan @BrianKarem #DonTheCon is so full of shit that is frightening. He is a liar, he is a liar, he is a lia… https://t.co/BGyvYd1F2W— Jan Landy (@Jan Landy) 1540476457.0
@JohnBrennan He’s a typical #Abuser He abuses people, then plays the victim. All of it for the purpose of… https://t.co/lcL2Uj6Ogr— Felipe Piña (@Felipe Piña) 1540476646.0
@JohnBrennan Thank you Sir,Truth matters,words matter.— Lori Dermer (@Lori Dermer) 1540475998.0
@JohnBrennan @BeauWillimon Thank you John Brennan for showing dissent will not be silenced. This is one of the fre… https://t.co/qezfo8MhrR— SpeakOutNow16 (@SpeakOutNow16) 1540477938.0
Trump stripped Brennan of his security clearance in August in response to Brennan's regular critiques of the administration's policies. Though intelligence officials referred to the revocation as "ill-considered," Brennan has remained a fiercely vocal opponent to Trump.
Brennan was far from the only person to say that the president is responsible for the mood of the country.
This rung especially true on Wednesday, when Brennan, along with numerous other Trump political rivals, were targeted by someone sending pipe bombs through the mail.
Many feel that Trump's rhetoric is fueling the escalation of violence.
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/jVygw2NKFr— Ryannosaurus Rex (@Ryannosaurus Rex) 1540477094.0
@realDonaldTrump Here, Donnie. I fixed your “statement” for you: https://t.co/Qf54shVf6I— Shaun O'Banion (@Shaun O'Banion) 1540476974.0
@realDonaldTrump @FoxNews Fixed those misspellings for you DT. You are welcome.— Capn Louie 🌊 (@Capn Louie 🌊) 1540477731.0
Trump needs to be held accountable. He is the president.
@realDonaldTrump No. You don't get to point the finger at the intended victims again. Your name calling, support of… https://t.co/FgzsPa0dsV— Jen Con (@Jen Con) 1540477004.0
@realDonaldTrump Could this be a direct result of encouraging your supporters towards violence? Here's a video we m… https://t.co/HoHgLaEkhs— Captain SKA (@Captain SKA) 1540477069.0
@realDonaldTrump #Resign #Traitor https://t.co/4kXWwFNZeL— Got3boys (@Got3boys) 1540477281.0
@realDonaldTrump Main stream Media didn’t say, gee “I wonder what would happen to Clinton if we took her Secret Ser… https://t.co/09sjFkOM6R— Rita Armstrong (@Rita Armstrong) 1540477334.0
@realDonaldTrump Fixed for ya’: the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccura… https://t.co/Vk28ROqswh— All4One (@All4One) 1540477389.0
@realDonaldTrump Weird because, as you said, medias are only attacking you and you didn’t receive a package. Only Y… https://t.co/cOeGWIGQea— Francis St-M. Rochon (@Francis St-M. Rochon) 1540480878.0
@realDonaldTrump Your childish actions, your mumbled speech, your illiterate tweets are the true source of anger. N… https://t.co/ZfaHS0vFPY— Democratiam (@Democratiam) 1540480572.0
Some simple advice for Trump:
@realDonaldTrump Clean up yours and they would have no news to report on you. Even a dumbass could figure that out… https://t.co/pte202GB0K— Jaremi Carey (@Jaremi Carey) 1540480916.0
Is this how you "Be Best?"