CNN hits headlines at White House’s fake news awards

DONALD TRUMP, the US president, has given the broadcaster CNN four of his “fake news” awards as he used the stunt to escalate attacks on the media.

Mr Trump also singled out The New York Times twice while the broadcaster ABC and the magazines Time and Newsweek were mentioned once each.

The so-called awards were presented in list form and specified particular stories about Mr Trump’s presidency, some of which have proved inaccurate and led to apologies.

A final award was given to general coverage of the Russian election meddling scandal. It read: “And last, but not least: “RUSSIA COLLUSION!” Russian collusion is perhaps the greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people. THERE IS NO COLLUSION!”

Critics have seen the “awards” as another attempt by Mr Trump to undermine the free press and shout down broadcasters and newspapers who have broken revelations about him.

Supporters see it as an attempt to call out inaccurate reporting and challenge a media landscape that they believe is tilted against Mr Trump’s presidency.