Trump Unleashes Tweetstorm on BuzzFeed After Mueller Disputes Report on Michael Cohen

President Donald Trump issued a scorched-earth criticism of BuzzFeed News after special counsel Robert Mueller disputed the outlet’s reporting that Trump directly asked his former attorney to lie to investigators.

When BuzzFeed News initially published the story on Thursday, it seemed to deliver the smoking gun needed for Democrats to impeach the president. As IJR Blue previously noted, congressional Democrats like House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) underscored how important the allegation was.

The allegation that the President of the United States may have suborned perjury before our committee in an effort to curtail the investigation and cover up his business dealings with Russia is among the most serious to date. We will do what’s necessary to find out if it’s true. https://t.co/GljBAFqOjh

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 18, 2019

When the special counsel’s office disputed the report on Friday, Trump described it as a “very sad day for journalism, but a great day for our Country!”

Remember it was Buzzfeed that released the totally discredited “Dossier,” paid for by Crooked Hillary Clinton and the Democrats (as opposition research), on which the entire Russian probe is based! A very sad day for journalism, but a great day for our Country!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2019

Fake News is truly the ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2019

He also took a shot at BuzzFeed News for publishing the unverified Steele dossier, which contained salacious and heavily scrutinized allegations against the president.

Before issuing his criticism for the latest report, Trump retweeted several accounts criticizing BuzzFeed News’ reporting.

Following the special counsel’s response to the story, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) pushed for an end to Mueller’s investigation.

Today’s development only underscores the need for the special counsel to wrap this investigation up immediately. The constant secrecy and breathless speculation helps no one. It’s been 20 months—enough is enough. Wrap it up. Show us what you have.

— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) January 19, 2019

Although BuzzFeed News updated its story to include comments from Mueller’s office, the outlet also defended its reporters and said it stood by its story “100%.”

Our response to CNN's — and all other reports — questioning the integrity of the reporters behind @BuzzFeedNews' latest bombshell investigation: pic.twitter.com/VR4y1Ze0Eo

— BuzzFeed PR (@BuzzFeedPR) January 18, 2019

“Jason is one of the best journalists in the world,” the outlet said of reporter Jason Leopold. It suggested that Leopold and his colleague, Anthony Cormier, faced greater personal attacks due to how serious their material was.

“His and Anthony’s work has been proven true at every turn — and it’s interesting that these personal attacks are surfacing only now, as the facts become more dangerous for the individuals involved,” the outlet added.