Trump questions why NPR exists after Pompeo clashes with reporter

President Trump questioned why NPR exists following his secretary of State’s reportedly heated clash with one of the media organization’s reporters.

The president on Sunday retweeted conservative radio host Mark Levin’s tweet that asked, “Why does NPR still exist?”

“A very good question!” Trump posted with Levin’s tweet. 

A very good question! https://t.co/8z6uQLKz8M

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2020

Levin inquired about the publicly funded but privately owned national radio station, saying there are “thousands” of radio stations in the country and satellite radio.

“Why are we paying for this big-government, Democrat Party propaganda operation,” Levin wrote. 

NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly reported Friday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out at her for asking about Ukraine, saying, “Do you think Americans care about Ukraine?” while using the F-word and asking her to point to Ukraine on a map. 

Pompeo then accused Kelly of lying to him, alleging that the post-interview conversation was off the record and that the interview was supposed to focus on Iran. Kelly says she confirmed with Pompeo’s staff that Ukraine would also be on the docket.

“It is shameful that this reporter chose to violate the basic rules of journalism and decency,” Pompeo said Saturday.

The secretary of State has come under criticism after Democrats alleged he did not fully protect former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch when the president’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani ran a smear campaign against her to get her removed. She was recalled from her position last year.

NPR has stood behind Kelly.