Over the weekend, there was an intense backlash on Donald Trump for his comments towards American soldiers who died in battle. Following the constant pushback from Trump, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg warned that more revelations such as this one will continue to follow.
Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Goldberg revealed to Chief Media Correspondent Brian Stelter that more stories regarding Trump’s comments towards fallen soldiers will be surfacing over the next few days and weeks. Goldberg noted that The Atlantic has a responsibility, and they will continue to uphold that responsibility despite the attacks from Trump.
While the news outlet has received backlash not just from Trump and the White House but from others because of the use of anonymous sources, other journalists have since confirmed the comments made by Trump, and CNN has also confirmed parts of the report, with sources who also chose to stay unnamed. Goldberg reasoned that it is how the media can do its job of reporting what happens in private.
“We all have to use anonymous sources, especially in a climate where the President of the United States tries to actively intimidate. These are people who are not anonymous to me,” said Goldberg.
“We’re not going to be intimidated by the President of the United States. We’re going to do our jobs,” said Goldberg.
Carl Bernstein, who was responsible for reporting the Watergate story that led president Richard Nixon to step down, also weighed in on the situation. Bernstein explained to CNN that anonymous sources are important for reporters. Bernstein even took a jab at Trump, saying that the fake news that Trump often uses on stories that criticize him are actually his news and that the real stories are coming from journalists.
Meanwhile, Trump received a surprising endorsement over the weekend as well. The niece of 9/11 terrorist Osama Bin Laden, Noor Bin Laden, revealed that she is supporting Trump. Bin Laden shared that she has always backed the Republican President since 2015 when he first announced that he will be running in 2016.
Bin Laden also explained that Trump will prevent another attack like 9/11 if he got a second term in office.