Fox News host Tucker Carlson is being criticized for telling his viewers on Friday night that they should distrust news reports from the "big news stations."

"If you're looking to understand what's actually happening in this country, always assume the opposite of whatever they're telling you on the big news stations," Carlson said, despite Fox News sitting on top of the cable news ratings for 197 consecutive months.

His comments led some to poke fun at his apparent contradiction and to also note the damage such comments can have on the public trust in journalism.

CNN's Brian Stelter called the comments "sad," while Michael Barbaro at The New York Times called them "repugnant" and "literally damaging to our democracy."

Other journalists mocked Carlson's credibility.

Carlson, like others on Fox News, has often gone after the media for what he views as unfair coverage of President Trump. Fox News is often criticized for not being tough on the president while having strong influence over him. Trump is a regular viewer and reportedly speaks regularly to several Fox News hosts.

On Friday morning, Trump had an impromptu interview with Fox News's "Fox & Friends" on the North Lawn of the White House, where he made a number of startling comments.