Judging by his ongoing Tweetstorm this morning, in which he first praised the market's performance (it remains to be seen what if anything he will say once stocks tumble under his watch), then dedicated the next four tweets to leakers, fabricated sources, "fake news" and Russia, president Trump does not appears to be in a good mood.
In his two most recent tweets sent between 9 and 10 am on Thursday, Trump reverted to his favorite topic: the interplay between the "fake news" media, the "discredited democrats", and the ongoing Russian scandal which the resignation of Mike Flynn only managed to blow up to unseen proportions.
"The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story - RUSSIA. Fake news!"
The Democrats had to come up with a story as to why they lost the election, and so badly (306), so they made up a story - RUSSIA. Fake news!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017
In a previous tweet, trump accused the press - really the WaPo, NYT and CNN - for making up their sources.
FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and "sources," is far more effective than the discredited Democrats - but they are fading fast!
FAKE NEWS media, which makes up stories and "sources," is far more effective than the discredited Democrats - but they are fading fast!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017
Trump's latest outrage followed his accusation that the intelligence community is leaking information to the media since Flynn's resignation. Flynn's resignation came after reports, citing multiple unidentified sources, that Flynn had misled top White House officials about the contents of phone calls he had with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. before Trump was sworn in.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that Flynn resigned because of an "eroding level of trust" between him and the president.
Trump often hits the media, accusing reporters of biased and dishonest coverage against him. In recent weeks he has consistently referred to certain outlets as "fake news" and the NYT as "failing." Earlier Thursday, Trump called on The New York Times and other publications to apologize.
"Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years," the president tweeted. "Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize" and then warned "low-life" leakers that "they will be caught" now that the "spotlight has finally been put" on them.