President Donald Trump on Friday morning once again tweeted a warning about believing news stories on “any subject” that cite “anonymous sources.”
But, just as has happened previously, the announcement did not go down well.
Do not believe any article or story you read or see that uses “anonymous sources” having to do with trade or any other subject. Only accept information if it has an actual living name on it. The Fake News Media makes up many “sources say” stories. Do not believe them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 6, 2019
Tweeters pounced on Trump’s post to remind him about his own alleged historic use of fake names (John Barron and John Miller) when talking to reporters.
They also resurfaced an old tweet in which Trump cited an “extremely credible source” to promote his racist “birther” conspiracy theory about former President Barack Obama not being born in the U.S.
Some tweeted a particularly apt line from George Orwell’s dystopian classic “1984,” while others recalled the thousands of times that Trump has lied since taking office in January 2017.
Says a man who's been an anonymous source for reporters for decades: https://t.co/dSGLalNEH3
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 6, 2019
John Barron and David Dennison could not be immediately reached for comment https://t.co/1ff9ozTGdV
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 6, 2019
But I’m assuming “extremely credible sources” are still okay. pic.twitter.com/dMM5kAjjjM
— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) December 6, 2019
Ok birther https://t.co/Vj1vnRj3R5
— Justin Taylor (@between2worlds) December 6, 2019
“The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) December 6, 2019
George Orwell in his novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, published June 8, 1949
I'll keep this in mind next time the White House responds to inquiries on background to an official https://t.co/JR57X0M1Dg
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) December 6, 2019
Many people are saying this is how you should digest the news.
— Jeremy Newberger (@jeremynewberger) December 6, 2019
“Many people have told you,” “your legal scholars,” “your generals.” You are the biggest offender of that advice.
— Publius (@ThePubliusUSA) December 6, 2019
I guess the man who claimed "an 'extremely credible source' has called my office and told me that @BarackObama's birth certificate is a fraud" would know https://t.co/fADYJgWsSc
— Daniel Knowles (@dlknowles) December 6, 2019
Stories about big, burly, unnamed men with tears in their eyes who call you ”sir” while hugging you are obviously excluded from this mandate
— Jaynie's Got a Bun (@FreeGirlNowNYC) December 6, 2019
Unless, of course, I say that person is lying. https://t.co/guskFbaPha
— Jeryl Bier (@JerylBier) December 6, 2019
Does this mean we should not believe your "Many people" bull?
— Client #3 (@jacquiestern1) December 6, 2019
Until you name these "many people" we have no reason to think that you're not just making up crap.
Usually once or twice a week, senior White House officials hold officially sanctioned anonymously sourced calls with dozens of reporters from American outlets and sometimes international outlets. They demand that these calls be attributed to “senior administration officials.” https://t.co/XaQ2tSQ8e7
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) December 6, 2019
Do not believe this President who has lied over 13,000 times.
— David Weissman (@davidmweissman) December 6, 2019
"Sure Mr Barron, ok, I'll quote you anonymously..." https://t.co/jnQjKL0tgv
— Nicholas Weaver (@ncweaver) December 6, 2019
A message from the White House communications director. => https://t.co/Iy8RM7dpNX
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) December 6, 2019
[narrator voice] They don't https://t.co/5Rpir8BffV
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 6, 2019
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