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Baldwin shares his concerns after Trump throws out the word "retribution."
Alec Baldwin says he's genuinely concerned for the safety of himself and his family following President Donald Trump's most recent attack on "Saturday Night Live."
Trump's been critical of Baldwin since the actor first began impersonating him on the late-night comedy show in October 2016. Since then, Trump's also expressed dissatisfaction with NBC as a whole for supporting sketches that mock the current administration and Republican politicians. Now, POTUS is throwing out the word "retribution" -- and Balwin feels threatened.
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View Story"I wonder if a sitting president exhorting his followers that my role in a TV comedy qualifies me as an enemy of the people constitutes a threat to my safety and that of my family?" the actor tweeted Sunday in response to Trump's reaction to Saturday's show.
I wonder if a sitting President exhorting his followers that my role in a TV comedy qualifies me as an enemy of the people constitutes a threat to my safety and that of my family?
@ABFalecbaldwin
"Nothing funny about tired 'Saturday Night Live' on fake news NBC!" Trump tweeted early Sunday morning. "Question is, how do the networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise, for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real collusion!"
Four minute later, he added, "THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT MEDIA IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!"
Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion!
@realDonaldTrump
THE RIGGED AND CORRUPT MEDIA IS THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
@realDonaldTrump
Shortly after, Chief White House Correspondent of The New York Times Peter Baker put Trump on blast for "seeking 'retribution' because an actor made fun of him, not because national security was jeopardized."
"No previous president I can remember vilified the press across the board using Soviet phraseology like 'enemies of the people,' or incited crowds into shouting at reporters standing in the back, to the point that one was physically attacked just the other day," Baker continued. "Just because other presidents have at times been wrong in their treatment of the press doesn't mean this is therefore normal and acceptable."
When Obama's Justice Department tried to pressure reporters to reveal sources or obtain their records, including our colleagues at the @nytimes, we fought it vigorously. We believed those actions were outrageous and chilling to First Amendment coverage. (1) https://t.co/RW2RFT8gqA
@peterbakernyt
Those were disputes over the publication of classified information. In today's case, the president is seeking “retribution” because an actor made fun of him, not because national security was jeopardized. (2)
@peterbakernyt
And no previous president I can remember vilified the press across the board using Soviet phraseology like “enemies of the people” or incited crowds into shouting at reporters standing in the back, to the point that one was physically attacked just the other day. (3)
@peterbakernyt
Just because other presidents have at times been wrong in their treatment of the press doesn't mean this is therefore normal and acceptable. (4)
@peterbakernyt
Perhaps POTUS can take a page out of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's book on how to handle "SNL" impersonations.
"Good impersonation, @NBCSNL," the Senator tweeted in response to a "Weekend Update" sketch mocking him and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. "But got one thing wrong. I use a flip phone!"
Good impersonation, @NBCSNL. But got one thing wrong. I use a flip phone! https://t.co/R7bmYqfNKk pic.twitter.com/RPbwegbdCK
@SenSchumer
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