Fox News host Jedediah Bila fired back at Donald Trump on Sunday evening and defended her colleague Chris Wallace after the president lashed out at the network.
"Just watched Mike Wallace wannabe, Chris Wallace, on @Fox News. I am now convinced that he is even worse than Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd of Meet the Press (please!), or the people over at Deface the Nation," Trump tweeted. "What the hell is happening to @Fox News. It's a whole new ballgame over there!"
In response, Bila urged the president to stop "with the 3rd grade name-calling" and defended Wallace as someone who is merely "doing his job."
"The news should not be any president's friend, ally, or buddy. If it bothered you when Obama complained about Fox News, but you're silent on this complete nonsense, then just stop. Seriously. Enough," Bila tweeted.
Enough with the 3rd grade name-calling. Chris is doing his job. The news should not be any president’s friend, ally, or buddy. If it bothered you when Obama complained about Fox News, but you’re silent on this complete nonsense, then just stop. Seriously. Enough. https://t.co/uW1Dw275Or
— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) April 12, 2020
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.
Trump continued his attack on the media in two follow up tweets on Sunday.
"If the Fake News Opposition Party is pushing, with all their might, the fact that President Trump 'ignored early warnings about the threat,' then why did Media & Dems viciously criticize me when I instituted a Travel Ban on China? They said 'early & not necessary.' Corrupt Media!" the president tweeted.
In another post, he added: "The Opposition Party (Lamestream Media) and their partner, the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, have put their political game plan in full swing. 'Whether he is right or wrong, it doesn't matter. Criticize 'Trump' for everything, and don't let the public see Biden. Hide him.'"
Throughout his presidency, Trump has called into Fox & Friends, a show that Bila co-hosts, on numerous occasions for interviews. He has also tweeted out segments broadcast on the show.
It is unclear exactly why Trump lashed out at Fox News on Sunday, however, it is not the first time the president has criticized the network over unfavorable coverage.
Last month, Trump complained about Democrats being featured as guests on Fox News and predicted that such a move indicated the "beginning of the end" for the network. He also criticized Wallace and said he should be working for "Fake News CNN or MSDNC."
"I have been in the business a half century and I have been attacked by all sides," Wallace said at the time, according Deadline. "Generally speaking, I think it is an indication that you're doing your job. I mean I'm not in this to make friends. I am in this to do the best reporting that I can do."
