In what many saw as a bizarre series of tweets Tuesday, President Donald Trump assailed the media and mocked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the size of his "nuclear button."
Here are his tweets:
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone fro… https://t.co/EvTgZxiji0— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1514940559.0
"North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.' Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" the president tweeted.
Trump was referring to a report that the North Korean dictator saying that he has a nuclear button.
He continued on with a tweet announcing he would be granting "awards" to the media based on their bias.
"I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o’clock," he tweeted.
I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o’clock. Subjects will… https://t.co/Kzvk4ErSno— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1514941510.0
"Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media," he added. "Stay tuned!"
What was the reaction?
Many commentators responded negatively to what appeared to be a threat to the North Korean regime from the president.
"We've gotten to a weird place where it really doesn't matter what the President of the United States says anymore, because it's so bizarre, strange, not true," said Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) on CNN.
"We've gotten to a weird place where it really doesn't matter what the President of the United States says anymore, because it's so bizarre, strange, not true," says Rep. Jim Himes, reacting to Trump's tweet about "nuclear button" "bigger," "more powerful" than North Korea's pic.twitter.com/yE1cb6zsrw
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 3, 2018
"This makes sense on no level," Gordon Chang said on CNN, "of course, it makes the president of the United States look like a juvenile."
.@GordonGChang on Pres. Trump's "nuclear button" tweet: "This makes sense on no level ... It makes the U.S. look foolish" https://t.co/7NIoJaibIfpic.twitter.com/PnMOfpZH4V
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) January 3, 2018
"It makes the U.S. look foolish," he added, "it does help us on no level at all.
"Trump had an excess of Twitter mojo he just needed to blow off after the break, guys," said Ben Shapiro. "Or alternatively, what in the living hell is happening."
Trump had an excess of Twitter mojo he just needed to blow off after the break, guys. Or alternatively, what in the… https://t.co/K7vsdj0GjN— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1514942147.0
Kim Jong Un had recently made a statement saying that he would seek peace with South Korea in anticipation of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.