'Bullying journalists is not Presidential': Fox News anchor berates Trump for tweets

William Cummings | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Too soon? Sarah Sanders jokes with Fox News' John Roberts When Fox News' John Roberts appeared to downplay President Donald Trump's critical tweet about him, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders joked some more.

WASHINGTON – After President Donald Trump leveled a rare Twitter attack against Fox News – a network he normally praises for its favorable coverage of him – one of the conservative channel's anchors lambasted the president for "bullying journalists."

Fox News anchor Julie Banderas was outraged after Trump posted a tweet Sunday night complaining about her network's coverage of the fallout from the 35-day partial government shutdown and the negotiations for border wall funding.

"Never thought I’d say this but I think @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner @FoxNews have even less understanding of the Wall negotiations than the folks at FAKE NEWS CNN & NBC! " Trump tweeted.

"@realDonaldTrump This is NOT right. I stand by my colleagues @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner They don’t deserve this. No reporter does. They are doing their jobs and reporting the facts. They are not opinion journalists and deserve the respect from the @WhiteHouse they cover," Banderas said in a reply to the president's tweet.

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@realDonaldTrump This is NOT right. I stand by my colleagues @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner They don’t deserve this. No reporter does. They are doing their jobs and reporting the facts. They are not opinion journalists and deserve the respect from the @WhiteHouse they cover. https://t.co/ftRPauopjC — Julie Banderas (@JulieBanderas) January 28, 2019

In another tweet, Banderas noted that journalists often receive "plenty of criticism," but said the president "ought not to be the one lashing out."

"We can and do stand plenty of criticism every day which is fine coming from everyday viewers. Our jobs are not meant to please others," Banderas wrote in follow-up tweet. "But the office of the @POTUS ought not to be the one lashing out. That’s not how this country works. That’s not how Freedom of the Press works."

We can and do stand plenty of criticism every day which is fine coming from everyday viewers. Our jobs are not meant to please others. But the office of the @POTUS ought not to be the one lashing out. That’s not how this country works. That’s not how Freedom of the Press works. https://t.co/buakHRRwPO — Julie Banderas (@JulieBanderas) January 28, 2019

By "going on Twitter and insulting two of our journalists," Trump put "a target on their backs. In turn his followers will then attack @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner in support on Twitter," she said.

"Bullying journalists is not Presidential. Period," she said.

By going on Twitter and insulting two of our journalists @realDonaldTrump is putting a target on their backs. In turn his followers will then attack @johnrobertsFox and @GillianHTurner in support on Twitter. Bullying journalists is not Presidential. Period. https://t.co/xayShIojYj — Julie Banderas (@JulieBanderas) January 28, 2019

One Twitter user pointed out that this was far from Trump's first attack on journalists. His history of criticizing news outlets, hurling insults at individual reporters and restricting access for those whose coverage he dislikes stretches back to at least the launch of his presidential campaign.

"Very true. But where have you been the last few years?" a Twitter user identified as Jen Moody asked Banderas in response to her tweets. "Trump has criticized virtually EVERY OTHER REPORTER ON THE PLANET (other than Fox). Where were you when targets were being put on their backs?"

"I have always stood up for journalists, no matter what network they work for," Banderas replied.

I have always stood up for journalists no matter what network they work for. We all should support each other. https://t.co/ABE6UL7XRG — Julie Banderas (@JulieBanderas) January 28, 2019

"That rock you’ve been hiding under the past 3 years, please describe it," tweeted another user.

"Warm and dark. Just how I like it," Banderas said.

Trump has often thanked Fox News for its coverage and several former Fox employees work in his administration. In November, Fox News publicly chastised hosts Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro for appearing on stage with Trump at a campaign rally.

In July, Bill Shine a – former top Fox News executive who left over the network's handling of sexual harassment complaints – joined the White House communications team.

According to CNN, Trump has done 41 interviews on Fox News since taking officce,

"far more than every other major TV network combined."

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