"Being attacked by Donald Trump is one of journalism’s more exhilarating experiences," the paper wrote. WSJ edit board mocks Trump

The Wall Street Journal fired back at Donald Trump on Thursday evening, hours after the Republican presidential candidate critiqued the outlet for publishing an editorial and an op-ed by Karl Rove that called into question his understanding of the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

In its piece, titled "Donald Trump Is Upset," the board responded to a series of Trump tweets and television interviews complaining that he had been characterized unfairly on the issue. In a rapid-fire succession of messages to Twitter on Thursday, Trump blasted the "failing" paper and "dopey" Rove, who authored a separate piece on Wednesday headlined "A Good Debate, but Not For Trump."


"Being attacked by Donald Trump is one of journalism’s more exhilarating experiences," the paper wrote. "We got the treatment on Thursday when he took to various TV shows and Twitter with his usual soft sell and demanded corrections, apologies and resignations after our editorial reference to his trade policy. We haven’t had this much fun since [former New York Gov.] Eliot Spitzer left office."

The point of the article, the response continued, "was what everyone who understands East Asian security knows, which is that China would be delighted to see TPP fail. China is putting together its own Asian trade bloc, and those rules will be written to its advantage."

"TPP sets a standard for trade under freer Western rules. China could seek to join TPP in the future, but it would have to do so on TPP’s terms, not vice versa," the board explained, adding that when it comes to Trump's understanding of currency manipulation, the businessman is no better.

"All of this bears on Mr. Trump’s candidacy because he is running as a shrewd deal-maker who can get the economy moving again," the paper said. "Starting a global currency and trade war 'on day one' would get America moving toward recession — or worse."

In an earlier email to POLITICO on Thursday, Journal editorial page editor Paul Gigot said the paper stood by its article, inviting the Republican presidential candidate to respond in a letter to the editor.