The publisher of the New York Times on Sunday revealed he recently warned Donald Trump that his angry verbal attacks on the American media – including describing them as the “enemy of the people” - could provoke violence.

The newspaper said the meeting was on July 20 but was intended to be off the record.

However, Mr Trump yesterday revealed he met AG Sulzberger in a morning tweet and claimed they discussed the rise of fake news.

"Had a very good and interesting meeting at the White House with AG Sulzberger, Publisher of the New York Times," he wrote. "Spent much time talking about the vast amounts of Fake News being put out by the media & how that Fake News has morphed into phrase, ‘Enemy of the People.’ Sad!"

His tweet brought a rapid response from the publisher, who said he told the president his rhetoric was being used by authoritarian regimes to justify attacks on journalists.