Trump, Calling Journalists ‘Sick People,’ Puts Media on Edge

President Trump’s angry condemnation of the news media during a campaign-style rally on Tuesday heightened the fear among journalists that verbal attacks on the profession could lead to physical attacks.

While criticizing media coverage has long been a surefire tactic to rile up crowds, the depth of the president’s most recent jabs took even seasoned journalists by surprise. He called journalists “sick people,” accused the news media of “trying to take away our history and our heritage” and questioned their patriotism.

“I really think they don’t like our country,” he said.

Throughout the presidential campaign, Mr. Trump would frequently turn the attention of rallygoers to the areas containing journalists, who would then be greeted with obscenities and taunts. Journalists are well-accustomed to being disliked at his rallies.

But Tuesday’s remarks struck a tone that alarmed journalists more than usual. Margaret Sullivan, a media columnist for The Washington Post, called it “the most sustained attack any president has ever made on the press.”

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