Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert on Sunday defended President Trump's tweet depicting himself physically beating "CNN." Trump is "the most genuine president and the most non-politician president we've seen in my lifetime," Bossert said in an appearance on ABC News, and "no one would perceive [the tweet] as a threat. I hope they don't. I do think that [Trump is] beaten up in a way on cable platforms that he has a right to respond to."
CNN did not share Bossert's take. The network's response said the tweet "encourages violence against reporters":
The tweet depicts Trump whaling on Vince McMahon in a staged fight at Wrestlemania XXIII in 2007. McMahon's face has been covered with the CNN logo.