Trump rips media for US anger as FBI investigates suspicious packages: MSM 'must clean up its act

President Donald Trump pointed the finger at the mainstream media Thursday following a series of suspicious packages that were sent to prominent liberals and CNN. The president blamed them for the anger in American society.

What did he say?

In a Thursday tweet, Trump blamed the "fake news" — which he used interchangeably with "the establishment media" — for society's anger. The comments came in the wake of reported mail bombs sent to high-profile Democrats.

"A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," the president wrote. "It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!"

A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018

In response to the president's latest tweet, former CIA Director John Brennan — who was one of the intended recipients of the packages — admonished the president to take his own advice and to stop blaming others.

Brennan retweeted Trump's Thursday sentiment, and responded, "Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful."

"Clean up your act," he added. "[T]ry to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence."

Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror. Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act....try to act Presidential. The American people deserve much better. BTW, your critics will not be intimidated into silence. https://t.co/cS5qNiuU7o

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) October 25, 2018

What else?

On Wednesday, Trump said that the establishment media should take responsibility for today's climate.

"The media also has a responsibility to set a civil tone, and to stop endless hostility, and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories," the president said during a Wednesday night rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin. "They've got to stop, bring people together."

Explosive devices have been sent to people such as liberal mega-donor George Soros, the Clintons, former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), former Attorney General Eric Holder, CNN's New York headquarters, and more.

You can read more about the devices and their intended targets here.

A federal investigation has been launched to find those responsible for the mail bombs.

A Wednesday statement from White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders stated:

We condemn the attempted violent attacks recently made against President Obama, President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and other public figures. These terrorizing acts are despicable, and anyone responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The United States Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies are investigating and will take all appropriate actions to protect anyone threatened by these cowards.