President Donald Trump has said journalists should not be allowed to publish stories based on anonymous sources.
Speaking to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference at a ballroom just outside Washington, launched a lengthy diatribe about the media, suggesting elements of it were the “enemy of the people”.
He said: “We are fighting the fake news, it’s fake news, fake. The fake news doesn’t tell the truth. It doesn’t represent the people. They have no sources, none.
“I’m not against the media, I’m not against the press, I don’t mind bad stories if I deserve them. I am only against the fake news, media, and press. I’m against the people that make up stores and sources. They shouldn’t be allowed to use sources that they don’t name. ‘A source said Donald Trump is a horrible human being’. Let him say that to my face. They should put the name of the person and then you’ll see stories dry up so fast.”
He accused the “fake media” of “doing a terrible disservice to our country”.
Mr Trump said the press used the First Amendment to defend its reporting. Mr Trump said he loved the First Amendment and it gave everyone the right to “strongly” criticise ‘fake news”.
He was cheered loudly by conservative activists and when he mentioned Hillary Clinton the “lock her up” chant that was a staple of his campaign rallies, rang out.
Mr Trump defended recent comments he made about immigration in Sweden saying people there “understand I’m right”.
He said: “I took a lot of heat on Sweden. I love Sweden, great country, great people, but the people over there understand I’m right.
“Take a look at what’s happening in Sweden, take a look at what’s happening in Germany, take a look at what’s happening in France. Take a look at what’s happening in Europe folks.
“Be smart, we are not going to let it happen to us folks. We are going to keep radical Islamic terrorism the hell out of our country. We will not be deterred from this course.
“If it means I get bad press people speak badly of me it doesn’t bother me, the security of our people is number one.”
Mr Trump: America also said America will “get off welfare”.
He said: “It’s time for all of America to get off of welfare and get back to work- you’re gonna love it!”
Mr Trump added: “When was the last time we won. Did we win a war? Did we win anything?”
He said the Mexico border wall is “ahead of schedule”.
Mr Trump said: “Oh we’re going to build the wall, don’t worry about it. In fact it’s going to start soon, way ahead of schedule.”
Approaching the end of his speech, Mr Trump has turned to the theme of unity.
“No matter the colour of the blood we bleed, it’s the same red blood as the great, great patriots,” Mr Trump said.
“We are all equal in the eyes of almighty God. As long as we have faith in each other, and trust in God, there is no goal, at all, beyond our reach. We are Americans and the future belongs to us. The future belong to all of you.
“America is roaring back. It’s going to be bigger, and better and stronger than ever before. “
