This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
President Donald Trump has blasted The New York Times for an article alleging that the United States was ramping up its digital incursions into Russia’s power grid.
In a pair of tweets late on June 15, Trump asserted that the story was untrue and denounced reporters as “cowards.”
Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia. This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019
“This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country,” he also wrote.
…..ALSO, NOT TRUE! Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today. They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence! These are true cowards and without doubt, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019
The Times called Trump’s accusation “dangerous” and said it had told officials about the article before it was published and no security issues were raised.
The newspaper’s report, quoting unidentified current and former government officials, said the United States had stepped up cyber incursions to affect Russia’s electric power grid as a way to punish Moscow’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and deter future cyberactivity by Russia.
