On Tuesday, President Trump suggested that Sen. Bob Corker’s harsh criticism of him was simply the product of a dishonest interview by the New York Times.
‘The Failing @NYTimes set Liddle’ Bob Corker up by recording his conversation. Was made to sound a fool, and that’s what I am dealing with!’ Trump tweeted.
In one punch he bashed both the Times, a favorite institution of Trump’s to take on, and Corker, the retiring Tennessee Republican who told the newspaper Sunday that he feared Trump’s recklessness would start ‘World War III.’
President Trump (left) alleged on Tuesday that dishonest reporting by the New York Times was at work for comments made by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. (right), which, according to Trump, made him sound like a fool. Trump also bestowed him the nickname ‘Liddle’ Bob Corker
President Trump suggested Tuesday that dishonest reporting by the New York Times was at work after the paper published a brutal takedown of Trump by Sen. Bob Corker, a member of the president’s party
Corker had once been one of the few Senate Republican to embrace Trump, as the real estate mogul ran his unconventional presidential campaign last year, flattening 16 other Republican candidates, before moving on to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
But on Sunday, President Trump unleashed on Corker with a handful of tweets, making fully public what had been a simmering problem.
‘Senator Bob Corker “begged” me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said “NO” and he dropped out (said he could not win without my endorsement),’ Trump wrote. ‘He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said “NO THANKS.” He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!’
‘Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn’t have the guts to run!’ the president said.
CNN quickly found sources to refute the story, saying that Trump had talked to Corker the week before and again pledged to support him if he’d reconsider and run.
The senator also told the Times that Trump’s tweets were untrue.
Corker, at that point, had already announced his intentions to retire from the Senate.
After President Trump made his accusation, New York Times journalist Jonathan Martin tweeted details on how the interview was set up, including that both Sen. Bob Corker’s staffers were recording it for accuracy, as well as Martin himself
Corker shot back with a sassy tweet.
‘It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center,’ the senator wrote. ‘Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.’
Later that day, Corker spoke to New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin, airing out some of his concerns about Trump.
‘He concerns me,’ Corker said. ‘He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.’
Through the course of the interview, Corker, who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he thought Trump was treating his office like a ‘reality show’ and could set the nation ‘on the path to World War III.’
In his article, Martin said the senator spoke ‘carefully and purposefully’ during their 25-minute conversation.
After Trump’s accusation the New York Times scribe explained the interview’s set-up to his followers on Twitter.
‘Corker had 2 aides on line, also recording, and they made sure after it ended that I was taping, too,’ Martin said.
Before Sunday’s blow up, Corker made two public comments that undercut Trump.
‘I think Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Mattis and Chief of Staff Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos,’ Corker told reporters Wednesday, on the heels of NBC’s report that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had threatened to quit in July and referred to the president as a ‘moron’ in a Pentagon meeting.
Corker was also critical of Trump’s response in the aftermath of the racial violence that occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia in August.
‘The President has not yet been able to demonstrate the stability nor some of the competence that he needs to demonstrate in order to be successful,’ Corker said.