President Donald Trump has called off the annual White House holiday party for the media, thus ending a decades-old tradition, Fox Newsreported without providing reference to sources. The media outlet went on to say that the White House didn’t announce the cancellation.
READ MORE: Melania Trump Asserts She Does What's 'Right' Despite Media Attacks
Social media users largely supported the reported decision, citing relentless media attacks on the Trump administration:
Some netizens, however, compared Trump to the Grinch, a fictional character who sought to ruin Christmas for every inhabitant of the town:
Fellow Twitterians suggested that the media were on Trump’s naughty list:
Last week, The Washington Postreported that the fate of the invitation-only soiree was uncertain, since the White House hadn’t scheduled the event despite the fact that the gathering is usually held in early to mid-December.
READ MORE: Netizens Defend Trump as He's Called 'Beacon for Repression' Over Media Attacks
The news comes amid Trump’s ongoing crusade against the “fake news” media, which he has repeatedly dismissed as the “enemy of the people”.
In 2017, CNN, which President Trump often bashes as “fake news”, boycotted the event:
“In light of the President’s continued attacks on freedom of the press and CNN, we do not feel it is appropriate to celebrate with him as his invited guests”.
In response, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders fired off a sarcastic tweet: