President Donald Trump has long sought to use the media as his foil. | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Trump delays 'fake news' awards

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the "fake news awards" he teased recently will be postponed, saying interest had exceeded his expectations.

"The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday," the president wrote on Twitter. "The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!"


Trump has long sought to use the media as his foil and has bestowed the "fake news" term liberally on unflattering stories throughout his time in office. Late night comedians have delighted in the spectacle of campaigning for the honors.

Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" took out a full-page ad in The New York Times with a for-your-consideration appeal along the lines of the pricey campaigns movie studios use to pitch their films and actors for Academy Awards. TBS' "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" tweeted an ad pushing the show for "shrillest reporting," and Stephen Colbert hawked his CBS late night show, tweeting that he was "so excited" for the "Fakies" and purchasing a billboard in Times Square.

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It is unclear what the White House actually has planned for Jan. 17.