Trump says Washington Post, NY Times should have Pulitzers taken away for Mueller probe coverage

President Trump on Friday evening renewed his criticism of The Washington Post and The New York Times, saying the outlets should have their Pulitzer Prize revoked for their coverage of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into his campaign and Russian election interference.

“So funny that The New York Times & The Washington Post got a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage (100% NEGATIVE and FAKE!) of Collusion with Russia – And there was No Collusion!” Trump tweeted. “So, they were either duped or corrupt? In any event, their prizes should be taken away by the Committee!”

So funny that The New York Times & The Washington Post got a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage (100% NEGATIVE and FAKE!) of Collusion with Russia – And there was No Collusion! So, they were either duped or corrupt? In any event, their prizes should be taken away by the Committee!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2019

The two outlets won a joint 2018 Pulitzer Prize in National Reporting last year for their coverage of Mueller’s expansive probe, which formally concluded last week.{mosads}

The reporting that earned the award started with the outlets’ coverage of allegations that former national security adviser Michael Flynn inappropriately discussed sanctions with Russia before Trump took office and included coverage of former FBI Director James Comey’s firing in 2017 and the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump campaign officials and a Russian official promising dirt on then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

The president and other conservatives have repeatedly criticized the outlets’ reporting in the past but have ramped up attacks in recent days after a summary of Mueller’s final report did not find sufficient evidence to prove coordination between Trump and Russia.

Earlier this week, conservatives told The Hill that reporters should be held accountable for their constant reporting on the issue. Others, however, have stood by the media’s reporting, with Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein praising it as “one of the great reporting jobs in history.”