Reuters reported that Trump's remarks at the White House press conference represent a significant escalation of the administration's offensive against the news media. In recent weeks, Trump has privately complained to staff about excessively negative media coverage of the US-Israel war against Iran, and he and his allies have publicly criticized some media reports.
After a US fighter jet was shot down over Iran on the 3rd of this month, multiple media outlets reported that a US rescue team successfully recovered one of the two pilots on board.
Trump said that the disclosure of this news jeopardized the rescue mission of the other pilot, who was eventually rescued.
Trump said: 'We didn't talk about the first person for a full hour, and then someone leaked the news. We want to find the leaker, and we are actively investigating.'
Trump also said: 'We will go after the media companies that published the news and tell them this is about 'national security, hand over the source, or go to jail'.'
It is unclear which media outlet or reporter Trump was referring to. Several media outlets, including The New York Times, CBS News, and Axios, seem to have reported the news of the first pilot's rescue in a short period.
The White House did not immediately respond when asked which reporter Trump was threatening. (Compiled: Lu Ying-tzu) 1150407
FACT BOX
- Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
- Category: Taiwan
- Organizations: Axios