CNN has accused Donald Trump of “encouraging violence against reporters”, after the President tweeted a video of him wrestling a man with the TV network’s logo over his face.
On Sunday, the US President shared edited footage of him slamming WWE owner Vince McMahon to the ground and striking his head, with the CNN logo covering the man’s face.
The short video has the words “Fraud News Network”, in what appears to be an adulteration of the network’s logo.
In response, CNN issued a statement accusing the President of “juvenile behaviour” and “encouraging violence”.
“It is a sad day when the President of the United States encourages violence against reporters,” the network said.
“Clearly, Sarah Huckabee Sanders lied when she said the President had never done so,” it added, referencing the White House deputy press secretary’s assurance last June that “the president is not a liar”.
The statement also criticises Mr Trump for failing to “prepare for his overseas trip, his first meeting with Vladimir Putin, dealing with North Korea and working on his health care bill”.
“He is instead involved in juvenile behaviour far below the dignity of his office,” it added.
“We will keep doing our jobs. He should start doing his.”
The original footage dates back from 2007, but it was unclear who added the CNN logo.
A version of the video appeared on the website Reddit several days ago.
The US President has been stepping up verbal attacks on the media and CNN in particular, accusing them of releasing what he calls “fake news”.
White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert also told ABC news that he thinks Mr Trump is “beaten up in a way on cable platforms that he has a right to respond to”, and “no one would perceive that as a threat”.
The President has recently defended his use of social media, which he says “is modern day Presidential”.
“The FAKE & FRAUDULENT NEWS MEDIA is working hard to convince Republicans and others I should not use social media,” he tweeted.
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