White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders sparked anger on Wednesday after she accused CNN president Jeff Zucker of dividing America.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump called for Americans to “come together in peace and harmony” after authorities seized suspicious packages containing “potential explosive devices” that were sent to CNN and the homes and offices of leading Democrats, including former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Zucker issued a combative response to Trump’s appeal:
Statement from CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker: pic.twitter.com/OXyIT6oSLT
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) October 24, 2018
Sanders fired back with a tweet, in which she accused Zucker of ignoring Trump’s call and instead choosing to “attack and divide” the country:
.@realDonaldTrump asked Americans “to come together and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the USA” Yet you chose to attack and divide. America should unite against all political violence. https://t.co/Dlo3xwHyKi
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) October 25, 2018
Sanders’ response did not go over well on Twitter, where people accused her of hypocrisy, suggested she send the same message to the president and reminded her of all the times Trump has attempted to incite violence:
It has to come from the top, Sarah. You can’t just say, “Unity,” and wave a magic wand.
— Michael 👻 Stone (@M_G_Stone) October 25, 2018
You have to actually act like a uniter.
You know perfectly well your boss hasn’t done that—not once in his presidency.
So @PressSec is attacking @CNN. Way to escalate the situation, Sarah. https://t.co/mFzTwg9pMR
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) October 25, 2018
You all are the biggest gaslighters I’ve ever seen in my life!
— Dana Goldberg (@DGComedy) October 25, 2018
Words matter Sarah. When you spew his message of hate day after day, this violence is on your hands too. @cnni @cnn #MAGABomber
— Dr. Jennifer Conti (@doctorjenn) October 25, 2018
Remember when your boss said repeatedly that CNN was the enemy of the people?
— Jonathan BOOcher (@jonbouch) October 24, 2018
Please note for the record that Sarah Huckabee Sanders just attacked CNN.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) October 25, 2018
Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) you just accused @CNN’s Jeff Zucker of trying to “attack and divide” while claiming that everyone should unite against threats of political violence. Do you remember when your boss tweeted this...? https://t.co/kpAoYS87Tp
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) October 25, 2018
Wow Sarah, really think you need to clean house first. A few words force fed to tRump via teleprompter is not even close to a uniting message.
— What (@NattyCallsBS) October 25, 2018
You and I both know that you know he doesn't practice what he preaches. Don't lie to us and make it seem otherwise. Also, you won't outlast us on Twitter, none of us are worried about whether we get into the WH press room.
— JLKurlander (@MtkaLiberal) October 25, 2018
So it was bad when Trump implied it might be fun if someone shot Hillary Clinton
— Voight-Kampff Test (@enjen99) October 25, 2018
He JUST applauded a fellow Republican for body-slamming someone in the media. You don't get the high ground on this or anything else.
— Tippi, but the spooky version (@TrashFireT) October 25, 2018
You funny...please go on a comedy club tour with your daddy
— Carole Montgomery (@nationalmom) October 25, 2018
Your complete lack of self awareness never ceases to amaze..
— Gedsudski (@Gedsudski) October 25, 2018
— NashvilleGirl (@watchingdt) October 25, 2018
I literally do not understand how you sleep at night.
— Jeffrey Ahrendt (@jeffreyahrendt) October 25, 2018
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