President Trump’s allies are trying to raise at least $2 million to investigate and discredit journalists at outlets that cover the White House, Axios reports.
A group of Trump allies wants to raise the money to investigate reporters and editors at The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, BuzzFeed, and HuffPost, according to the report.
The group expects that the dirt they find will be picked up by “friendly media outlets” like Breitbart.
"CNN, MSNBC, all broadcast networks, NY Times, Washington Post, BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, and all others that routinely incorporate bias and misinformation in to their coverage. We will also track the reporters and editors of these organizations,” says a prospectus for the group, according to Axios.
Group targets reporters’ years-old tweets:
The New York Times previously reported that the group was compiling “dossiers” on reporters that including old social media posts and public statements.
“The research is said to extend to members of journalists’ families who are active in politics, as well as liberal activists and other political opponents of the president,” The Times reported.
Breitbart has already published stories citing years-old tweets by New York Times and CNN employees linked to the efforts.
Media outlets slam group:
“They are seeking to harass and embarrass anyone affiliated with the leading news organizations that are asking tough questions and bringing uncomfortable truths to light,” said New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger. “The goal of this campaign is clearly to intimidate journalists from doing their job, which includes serving as a check on power and exposing wrongdoing when it occurs. The Times will not be intimidated or silenced.”
A CNN spokesman added that when government officials “and those working on their behalf, threaten and retaliate against reporters as a means of suppression, it’s a clear abandonment of democracy for something very dangerous.”
