President Donald Trump defended his use of social media as “modern day presidential” after a series of tweets attacking news organizations and journalists drew criticism, including from members of his own party. Trump said the media wanted to discourage him from using social media, which he credited, alongside interviews and speeches, with helping him win the 2016 election.

One tweet included an edited GIF from a 2007 WWE appearance in which Trump body-slammed and punched Vince McMahon, whose head was covered by a CNN logo. Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert defended the post on ABC News’ *This Week*, saying he did not think anyone would perceive it as a threat. He argued that cable news coverage had often been unfair to Trump and praised the president’s ability to communicate directly with Americans through social media.

CNN contributor Ana Navarro sharply criticized Bossert’s response, calling the tweet an incitement to violence and warning that someone in the media could be harmed.

Trump also faced criticism over tweets attacking *Morning Joe* co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. In one passage, he described a woman as having been “bleeding badly from a face-lift” during visits to Mar-a-Lago around New Year’s Eve. Republican Senator Ben Sasse said the attacks were beneath the dignity of the presidency, while Senator Lisa Murkowski asked whether Trump wanted to be remembered for his tweets or his accomplishments.

The passages also note that Trump’s provocative posts had stirred controversy during the 2016 campaign and after he took office. As a candidate, he had promised that he would eventually become “so presidential.” A separate Twitter notice explains that users can add city or precise location information to tweets and can delete their tweet location history.