President Donald Trump has now slammed journalists from CNN and MSNBC for their speculative reactions to a brief exchange he had with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts during his address to Congress.
Following the speech, Trump was caught on a hot mic thanking Roberts, saying, “Thank you again, I won’t forget it,” which sparked considerable media speculation about the nature of their conversation.
Some media outlets suggested, without evidence, that Trump was expressing gratitude for a Supreme Court ruling that granted presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official acts, a decision that significantly impacted his ongoing legal issues.
Others speculated that he might have been thanking Roberts for a ruling that narrowed the scope of obstruction charges against defendants related to the January 6 events.
“Thank you again. Thank you again. Won’t forget,” President Trump says as he shakes the hand of Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. pic.twitter.com/uFrvem6rUj
— Tom Dreisbach (@TomDreisbach) March 5, 2025
In a post on Truth Social, Trump dismissed the media’s interpretations as attempts to create a rift between him and the Supreme Court.
He labeled the coverage as “Fake ‘Play the Ref’ News” and accused journalists of failing to ask him directly about the exchange.
Trump clarified that his gratitude was directed toward Roberts for swearing him in during his inauguration, emphasizing that the media often distorts facts to suit their narratives.
“The Fake “Play the Ref” News, in order to create a divide between me and our great U.S. Supreme Court, heard me say last night, loudly and openly as I was walking past the Justices on the way to the podium, “thank you,” to Chief Justice John Roberts.” Trump wrote.
“Like most people, I don’t watch Fake News CNN or MSDNC, but I understand they are going “crazy” asking what is it that I was thanking Justice Roberts for? They never called my office to ask, of course, but if they had I would have told these sleazebag “journalists” that I thanked him for SWEARING ME IN ON INAUGURATION DAY, AND DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SO DOING! The Fake News never quits!” he added.
His comments reflect a broader frustration with how the press covers him and his interactions with key figures in government.
Trump’s response underscores his ongoing conflict with mainstream media, which he frequently criticizes for what he perceives as biased reporting.
The incident highlights the tensions between political figures and the media, especially in a climate where every interaction is scrutinized for underlying motives.
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