OnPolitics Today: White House defends Trump posting sketchy videos, citing a "real" threat

Trump spread sketchy videos. The White House said it supported his "goals."
 
usatoday.com
with Josh Hafner
OnPolitics Today: White House defends Trump posting sketchy videos, citing a "real" threat
President Trump speaks to reporters in the Roosevelt

Donald Trump rails almost daily about "fake news," but the White House on Wednesday seemed to say it was fine for the president to spread potentially false information - so long as it helps his goals.

Trump posted a series of anti-Muslim videos that morning from Britain First, an anti-immigration fringe group widely condemned in the United Kingdom. The unverified clips claim to show Muslims beating people and smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary. 

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders couldn't say whether the videos were real.

"Whether it's a real video, the threat is real," she told CBS News' Major Garrett. "His goal is to promote strong border security and strong national security."

Also on Wednesday: The president tried to link MSNBC host Joe Scarborough to a woman's death and vaguely suggested heads of NBC should be investigated for so-called "fake news," which he's of course against.

It's OnPolitics Today, the daily politics roundup from USA TODAY. Subscribe here.

Alleged harasser Donald Trump rips on alleged harasser Matt Lauer

Trump blasted an array of people Wednesday, including Matt Lauer, the "Today" show host fired after allegedly exposing himself to a woman. Trump, himself accused of sexually harassing several womenlambasted Lauer on Wednesday while calling for the investigations of executives over NBC.

Trump later mused whether NBC would fire Scarborough over "the 'unsolved mystery' that took place in Florida years ago." He seemed to refer to the 2001 death of one of the former congressman's staffers, the subject of Internet conspiracy theories despite an examiner's report explaining her death.

Trump insults North Korea's leader as nation eyes U.S. attack

North Korea launched a missile Wednesday likely capable of reaching Washington. Trump taunted the nation's leader a day later, calling him "a sick puppy" during a visit to Missouri. The rogue nation seems primed to easily hit the East Coast with missiles, but most analysts think it can't do so with nuclear warheads aboard - yet, anyway. Here's what the U.S. might do on North Korea, including sanctions, missile defense and war.

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