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Priebus: Media add 'fuel to the fire' about violence at Trump rallies

The media is adding “fuel to the fire” over violence at Donald Trump events, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said Monday.

Appearing on CNN's “New Day," Priebus was asked if he was comfortable that Trump was doing everything he could to quell violence at his events after video of a protester being punched and kicked over the weekend surfaced.

“He's certainly talking about it a lot more now and certainly calling for the temperature to be cooled more now. But you know, look, we're not a party that believes in violence. I think violence begets violence and you ought to leave some of the work in the crowd up to professionals,” Priebus told CNN's Alisyn Camerota before pivoting some blame to the media. “But I also think, Alisyn, if we're being fair here and it’s nothing against you or anyone, but when cable shows are on a constant loop -- you know a couple knuckleheads pushing each other on a 24/7 loop -- You know, I mean you create an environment, I think, that just adds fuel to the fire.”

“Shouldn't we focus — shouldn't we highlight if there's violence at campaign events and it's only Donald Trump's? Shouldn't we mention that?” Camerota asked.

“Mentioning it is fine. I'm questioning the 24/7 loop. I'm questioning three hours in prime time at night every day talking about it,” he said. “I get it. It's news. I'm not questioning it's news — I'm not. But it's the obsession that I think that also adds to the problem.”

“Granted, both sides have to disavow violence. I'm not saying that. I do think that the media is obsessed to the point of it being very noticeable and almost bizarre,” he said.