President Donald Trump took to Twitter Tuesday to continue his war of words with Republican Senator Bob Corker — and he also managed to take a swipe at the New York Times.
The immediate focus of the president’s ire today was Corker’s decision to record an on-the-record conversation with the Times in which the Tennessee Republican said Trump’s recklessness was putting the United States “on the path to World War III.”
“The Failing @nytimes set Liddle’ Bob Corker up by recording his conversation,” Trump tweeted. “Was made to sound a fool, and that’s what I am dealing with!”
The Failing @nytimes set Liddle’ Bob Corker up by recording his conversation. Was made to sound a fool, and that’s what I am dealing with!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2017
The inclusion of the term “liddle” is an escalation of sorts for Trump, who famously branded his political enemies with similar monikers like “Crooked Hillary” and “Lyin Ted.” During the 2016 GOP primaries, Trump dropped the “liddle” line on another presidential rival, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
For days, Trump has been engaged in an increasingly acrimonious spat with the Tennessee Republican, tweeting out that Corker’s decision to not seek reelection stemmed from Trump’s decision not to endorse him.
Senator Bob Corker “begged” me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said “NO” and he dropped out (said he could not win without…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
..my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said “NO THANKS.” He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
…Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn’t have the guts to run!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
That fusillade led to one of the more memorable burns in recent memory, which Corker also dropped on Twitter.
It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center,” he wrote. “Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.”
It’s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 8, 2017