Trump Claims WSJ Report on His Issues With Mnuchin is ‘Fake News’

In response to a Wall Street Journal story on issues with Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin, President Donald Trump declared “FAKE NEWS” and claimed he is actually “proud” of the cabinet member.

“I am extremely happy and proud of the job being done by @USTreasury Secretary @StevenMnuchin1,” the president wrote on Twitter. “The FAKE NEWS likes to write stories to the contrary, quoting phony sources or jealous people, but they aren’t true. They never like to ask me for a quote b/c it would kill their story.”

I am extremely happy and proud of the job being done by @USTreasury Secretary @StevenMnuchin1. The FAKE NEWS likes to write stories to the contrary, quoting phony sources or jealous people, but they aren’t true. They never like to ask me for a quote b/c it would kill their story.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 23, 2018

The president’s tweet backed the White House’s official statement on the report: “President Trump appreciates Secretary Mnuchin’s service as a key member of his cabinet and reports suggesting otherwise are false.”

The WSJ story cited multiple sources who told the outlet that Trump has privately attacked Mnuchin’s job performance — even asking, “If he’s so good, why is this happening?” due to rising hiccups in the stock market, which the president has continually relied on to suggest the U.S. economy is doing well under his administration.

Their story also noted Trump’s disdain for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who he believes Mnuchin is responsible for since he appointed him.

[image via screengrab]