It has been a tumultuous week for NBC, which announced the firing of “Today” star Matt Lauer on Wednesday morning, in response to allegations of sexual misconduct. | AP Photo NBC to attend White House party, despite Trump's tweets Over the past week, the president has called for removal of NBC executives and spread a conspiracy theory about a top MSNBC anchor.

Some NBC News reporters will attend the White House Christmas party Friday, even as President Donald Trump assailed the network on Twitter this week, including promoting a conspiracy theory about one of MSNBC’s biggest stars.

Media organizations have been split on whether to attend the reception, hosted by a president who has relentlessly attacked the press, though most appear to have decided to go. ABC News and CBS News told POLITICO on Friday that they will have staff in attendance and The Washington Post has also said that its reporters who were invited would attend. On the other side, CNN said earlier in the week that it would boycott the event.


Several NBC reporters, however, plan to be at the party, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., according a person with knowledge of the decision.

It has been a tumultuous week for NBC, which announced the firing of “Today” star Matt Lauer on Wednesday morning, in response to allegations of sexual misconduct.

In response, Trump tweeted about the network on Wednesday morning, mentioning NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack. He said, “Wow, Matt Lauer was just fired from NBC for ‘inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.’ But when will the top executives at NBC & Comcast be fired for putting out so much Fake News. Check out Andy Lack’s past!”

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About two hours later, he tweeted again, mentioning MSNBC president Phil Griffin and “Morning Joe” host Joe Scaborough: “So now that Matt Lauer is gone when will the Fake News practitioners at NBC be terminating the contract of Phil Griffin? And will they terminate low ratings Joe Scarborough based on the ‘unsolved mystery’ that took place in Florida years ago? Investigate!”

The “mystery” Trump was referring to was widely interpreted to be the 2001 death of an intern to then-Rep. Scarborough. A medical examiner at the time ruled the death an accident.

Earlier in the week, CNN issued a statement to POLITICO explaining why it would not attend. A network spokesperson said, “CNN will not be attending this year's White House Christmas party. In light of the President's continued attacks on freedom of the press and CNN, we do not feel it is appropriate to celebrate with him as his invited guests. We will send a White House reporting team to the event and report on it if news warrants.”

New York Times Chief White House Correspondent Peter Baker also told POLITICO earlier in the week that he would be there, saying, “It’s not our job to be bothered. It’s our job to do our job.”

POLITICO has said that it will let its reporters make their own decisions whether to attend. Spokesman Brad Dayspring said “several reporters were invited and will choose to attend based on their schedules and availability, as is the case every year.”