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!"
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."
Twitter followers thanked Brennan for pushing back against Trump and joined his criticism of the president.
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.
Trump needs to be held accountable. He is the president.
Some simple advice for Trump:
Is this how you "Be Best?"
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