Trump Calls Media 'Treasonous' on Air Force One as He Defends Iran War and $10 Billion BBC Suit
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · May 15
Trump Calls Media 'Treasonous' on Air Force One as He Defends Iran War and $10 Billion BBC Suit
3 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · May 15
Aboard Air Force One on Friday, Donald Trump lashed out at reporters returning from China, calling New York Times and CNN coverage of his Iran conflict "treasonous" and insisting the campaign had been a "total victory."
Pressed on the war, Trump claimed Iran had "no navy, no air force" and said the U.S. could "knock out the whole thing" in two days, even as the conflict remains under a shaky temporary ceasefire.
The tirade widened to the BBC when a journalist asked about an alleged U.S. missile strike on an Iranian school; Trump called the broadcaster "fake" and revived grievances tied to his $10 billion defamation lawsuit.
The BBC case stems from a 2024 documentary edit of Trump's Jan. 6 speech; the broadcaster apologized, two senior executives resigned, and it has said it will fight the suit in court.
The outburst capped a difficult China trip marked by reported diplomatic snubs, online mockery in China and fresh scrutiny of Trump's handling of the visit.
After a tense state visit, can America's top CEOs successfully navigate the deepening U.S.-China economic and technological rivalry?
As lawsuits challenge a landmark ruling, could the American press soon lose its long-held protections against public officials?
With U.S. weapon stockpiles depleted by the Iran war, is the American military truly prepared for another major global conflict?