President Trump praised Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. on Monday after he defended the president's remarks on the violence in Charlottesville, Va., and said the "fake news" should listen to Falwell.

"Jerry Falwell of Liberty University was fantastic on @foxandfriends. The Fake News should listen to what he had to say. Thanks Jerry!" Trump tweeted Monday morning.

Jerry Falwell of Liberty University was fantastic on @foxandfriends. The Fake News should listen to what he had to say. Thanks Jerry! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2017

Falwell, an ardent Trump supporter, appeared on Fox News Monday morning and defended Trump's remarks on the clashes between white nationalist groups and counter-protesters that occurred in Charlottesville last week.

"I think he was very clear who the culprits were, because he called out the Nazis, the white supremacists, the KKK members by name," Falwell said. "He didn't call out the ones who committed violence on the other side by name. He never mentioned Antifa. He made it clear that there was no moral equivalency between the two."

The Liberty University president also said the president "does not have a racist bone in his body."

Both Republicans and Democrats criticized Trump for his initial response to the events in Charlottesville, as well as remarks he made during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York City last week.

Addressing the violence in Charlottesville, Trump said Tuesday "both sides" were to blame and said there were "very, very fine people" there.

In addition to praising Falwell, Trump also railed against the press in a second tweet.

"Thank you, the very dishonest Fake News Media is out of control!" Trump tweeted in response to a user who defended him.