Calls New York Times 'true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE' after report on Whitaker and SDNY probe

After the New York Times reported that Trump had asked acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker whether a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney who had recused himself could be put in charge of the Southern District of New York's investigation into hush-money payments, Trump tweeted that 'The New York Times reporting is false. They are a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!' NYT publisher A.G. Sulzberger responded that the 'enemy of the people' label is 'not just false, it's dangerous,' citing its history of use by authoritarian rulers. Press-freedom advocates noted the phrase's role in encouraging hostility toward journalists. The attack came in direct response to reporting on Trump's alleged effort to influence the criminal probe implicating him.

"The New York Times reporting is false. They are a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!" Quote verified against source