Fox News reporter John Roberts on Monday referred to Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE as a "shadow president," arguing she is one of President Trump's most prominent critics and that her statements carry weight.

The comments came during a Twitter exchange with former Obama administration aide Tommy Vietor, in which Vietor said asking Trump to comment on Clinton's remarks about the NFL is "stupid" and a "wasted opportunity" to question the president about the real issues.

Roberts fired back, saying he had already asked two policy questions.

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"I assume asking @HillaryClinton to comment on Trump/NFL was similarly stupidly clickbait-ish?" Roberts tweeted.

"I must have missed the part where Hillary Clinton was President and not just the permanent Fox News boogieman," Vietor replied.

Vietor said Fox News has given Trump enough free PR, adding that the network should cover the fact that Trump is "sabotaging the health care exchanges and allowing Puerto Rico to suffer."

He said Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, can weigh in on any issue she wants, but it "doesn't mean it's worth asking Trump at a rare news conference."

"Fox News is an alternate reality where Tucker [Carlson] and [Sean] Hannity function as an extension of the press office. It's a joke," Vietor tweeted.

"We'll have to agree to disagree. As long as HRC operates as a 'shadow President', what she says carries relevance and weight," Roberts said.

We'll have to agree to disagree. As long as HRC operates as a "shadow President", what she says carries relevance and weight. — John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) October 16, 2017

Roberts elaborated on his claim, saying he doesn't think Clinton has created "some sort of shadowy presidency."

"I was merely using a British parliamentary term used to designate the opposition critic as a metaphor," he tweeted.

In the British Parliament, the so-called Shadow Cabinet is a team appointed by the opposition party's leader to present a formal alternative to the party in power.

"HRC has become one of @realDonaldTrump ‘s most prominent critics. As the former standard-bearer of the Democratic Party (and winner of the popular vote), her statements carry weight — and therefore are both newsworthy, and worthy of asking the President for his reaction."

During a press conference Monday, Trump was asked about Clinton's comments on players who kneel in protest during the national anthem.

“Well — that’s why she lost the election. I mean, honestly, it’s that thinking — that is the reason she lost the election,” Trump responded.