New York [US], September 26: Former US president Donald Trump is calling for US broadcaster NBC to be investigated for "Country Threatening Treason" on account of reporting about him by the media outlet and its affiliates.
"They are almost all dishonest and corrupt, but Comcast, with its one-side and vicious coverage by NBC NEWS, and in particular MSNBC, often and correctly referred to as MSDNC (Democrat National Committee!), should be investigated for its "Country Threatening Treason," Trump wrote.
"I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I WIN the Presidency of the United States, they and others of the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events," Trump continued in a social media rant aimed at NBC's parent company on Sunday night.
Among Trump's grievances is coverage by NBC and other networks of his convivial relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, whose agenda is at odds with that of the United States government.
"They are a true threat to Democracy and are, in fact, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!" the 45th US president ranted on his social media platform Truth Social.
"The Fake News Media should pay a big price for what they have done to our once great Country!"
Trump repeatedly called for NBC to be investigated when he was in office and the network's popular comedy program "Saturday Night Live" skewered him - as it has every president since 1975.
"A REAL scandal is the one sided coverage, hour by hour, of networks like NBC & Democrat spin machines like Saturday Night Live," he raged on social media in 2018.
"Should be tested in courts, can't be legal? Only defame & belittle! Collusion?" Prior to entering politics, Trump enjoyed stardom as a reality TV judge on NBC's "The Apprentice" from 2004 to 2015.
NBC has not commented on Trump's threat, but his remarks have sparked a wave of backlash in media and political circles.
"Let's just think about the last three days where we're at here. Donald Trump mocked a disabled veteran, called for the execution of General Mark Milley, has called for the complete shutdown of the government unless they defund the prosecutions against him. He's asked for all Senate Democrats to resign over the Menendez case. And, you know, he's talking about using government power to retaliate and shut down NBC for criticizing him," said Charlie Sykes, a political commentator who makes regular appearances on MSNBC.
Source: Qatar Tribune