"Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace challenged national security adviser John Bolton about President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE's tweet on Sunday morning, which blasted journalists and claimed they can "cause war."

Wallace read the tweet back to Bolton, then asked, "What wars have we started?"

Bolton largely avoided the substance of Trump's tweet, instead arguing that press bias "has been around for a long, long time."

ADVERTISEMENT

Wallace responded that reporters are rightfully called out when they publish inaccurate information, but added that Trump's latest attacks on the media are "taking it to a completely different level."

"That’s the president's view, based on the attacks the media has made," Bolton responded, citing past administrations that have clashed with the media.

"I think this kind of adversarial relationship is typical," he added.

Trump earlier Sunday accused journalists of “purposely” causing “division & distrust” in the country, and continued to label them the "enemy of the people."

The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know it’s TRUE. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People. They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! They are very dangerous & sick! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018

Ivanka Trump Ivana (Ivanka) Marie TrumpThe Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump stokes fears over November election outcome Special counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report Trump, Biden vie for Minnesota MORE said last week she does not believe the press is the enemy of the people, a rare public break with her father.

The president has had a tense relationship with the media since he hit the campaign trail in 2015. He frequently labels coverage he dislikes "fake news," has threatened to pull press credentials and the White House last week barred a CNN reporter from covering an open press event.

Trump frequently whips his supporters into a frenzy at campaign rallies, urging them to jeer reporters in attendance.

In the face of repeated criticism of the president's hostile rhetoric toward journalists, his press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the White House have insisted they support a free press.