After Trump calls media "fakers," WHCA president slams "unpresidential" rhetoric

President Trump speaks at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Saturday. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

After President Trump labeled the media "fakers" at a Wisconsin rally Saturday evening, the White House Correspondents' Association president warned of the dangers of attacks on a free press.

"I've had death threats, including one this week — too many of us have. It shouldn't need to be said in a room full of people who understand the power of words that 'fake news' and 'enemies of the people' are not pet names, punchlines or presidential."

Olivier Knox, White House Correspondents' Association president

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Details: Instead of the traditional presidential roast from a comedian, historian Ron Chernow made a keynote speech.

Ron Chernow: “Donald J. Trump is not the first and won’t be the last American president to create jitters about the First Amendment.” #WHCD #NerdProm pic.twitter.com/hrfkl6xXiM

— CSPAN (@cspan) April 28, 2019

Background: Comedian Michelle Wolf was criticized by some for crossing the line into personal attacks with her 2018 performance at the annual dinner.

The big picture: It's the third time the president has skipped the event. This year, White House administration officials were told to boycott the dinner. Trump instead opted to hold a rally in Green Bay in which he took aim at the media, singling out CNN after the crowd changed "CNN sucks!"

The crowd at Trump's rally chants "CNN sucks" after Trump calls the press "fake news" pic.twitter.com/cU96XONgZc

— Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) April 28, 2019